| First Author | Maguschak KA | Year | 2008 |
| Journal | Nat Neurosci | Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 11 | Pages | 1319-26 |
| PubMed ID | 18820693 | Mgi Jnum | J:143334 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3826708 | Doi | 10.1038/nn.2198 |
| Citation | Maguschak KA, et al. (2008) Beta-catenin is required for memory consolidation. Nat Neurosci 11(11):1319-26 |
| abstractText | beta-catenin has been implicated in neuronal synapse regulation and remodeling. Here we have examined beta-catenin expression in the adult mouse brain and its role in amygdala-dependent learning and memory. We found alterations in beta-catenin mRNA and protein phosphorylation during fear-memory consolidation. Such alterations correlated with a change in the association of beta-catenin with cadherin. Pharmacologically, this consolidation was enhanced by lithium-mediated facilitation of beta-catenin. Genetically, the role of beta-catenin was confirmed with site-specific deletions of loxP-flanked Ctnnb1 (encoding beta-catenin) in the amygdala. Baseline locomotion, anxiety-related behaviors and acquisition or expression of conditioned fear were normal. However, amygdala-specific deletion of Ctnnb1 prevented the normal transfer of newly formed fear learning into long-term memory. Thus, beta-catenin may be required in the amygdala for the normal consolidation, but not acquisition, of fear memory. This suggests a general role for beta-catenin in the synaptic remodeling and stabilization underlying long-term memory in adults. |
