| First Author | Shan LL | Year | 2015 |
| Journal | Sci Rep | Volume | 5 |
| Pages | 15578 | PubMed ID | 26493375 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:225712 | Mgi Id | MGI:5694235 |
| Doi | 10.1038/srep15578 | Citation | Shan LL, et al. (2015) Light exposure before learning improves memory consolidation at night. Sci Rep 5:15578 |
| abstractText | Light is recently recognized as a modulator able to activate the hippocampus and modulate memory processing, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we report that in mice, a short pulse of white light before learning dramatically improves consolidation of contextual fear memory during the night. The light exposure increases hippocampal active p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP). These light effects are abolished in PAK1 knockout and dominant-negative transgenic mice, but preserved by expression of constitutively active PAK1 in the hippocampus. Our results indicate that light can act as a switch of PAK1 activity that modulate CA1 LTP and thereby memory consolidation without affecting learning and short-term memory. |
