The post-acquisition role of immature dentate gyrus granule cells in memory

• Main Author: Yamaguchi, Takuma
• Other Authors: Ayumu Tashiro
• Format: Thesis-Doctor of Philosophy
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Science::Biological sciences
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/152344
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Granule cells in the dentate gyrus (DGCs) are continuously produced through adult neurogenesis. The early maturation stage of adult born DGCs (immature DGCs) developing their functional inputs and outputs is important for making their survival-or-death decision which depends on learning opportunities. Although it has been shown that immature DGCs are involved in memory before acquisition, it is unclear whether immature DGCs are involved in memory after acquisition. To investigate a post-acquisition role of immature DGCs in memory, we did genetic ablation of immature DGCs after training of spatial or fear memory tasks, and then examined the effect of ablation in their retrieval tests. Results showed the impairment in single retrieval tests, suggesting that immature DGCs have a post-acquisition role. Further analysis showed the intact retrieval in the initial phase of trial and discontinued learned behavior later, suggesting that they have a post-acquisition role in persistency of learned behavior.