Structural, Synaptic, and Epigenetic Dynamics of Enduring Memories

• Published in: Journal of neural transplantation & plasticity Vol. 2016; no. 2016; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Khalaf, Ossama, Gräff, Johannes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2016; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited; Wiley
• Subjects: Animals; Brain; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiology; Dendritic Spines - genetics; Dendritic Spines - physiology; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetic inheritance; Epigenetics; Gene expression; Humans; Information storage; Memory - physiology; Mice; Neurogenesis; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; Neurons - metabolism; Neurons - physiology; Rats; Review; Studies; Synapses - genetics; Synapses - physiology; Vectors (Biology)
• ISSN: 0792-8483; 2090-5904; 1687-5443
• DOI: 10.1155/2016/3425908

Our memories are the records of the experiences we gain in our everyday life. Over time, they slowly transform from an initially unstable state into a long-lasting form. Many studies have been investigating from different aspects how a memory could persist for sometimes up to decades. In this review, we highlight three of the greatly addressed mechanisms that play a central role for a given memory to endure: the allocation of the memory to a given neuronal population and what brain areas are recruited for its storage; the structural changes that underlie memory persistence; and finally the epigenetic control of gene expression that might regulate and support memory perseverance. Examining such key properties of a memory is essential towards a finer understanding of its capacity to last.