A Parallel Processing Hypothesis for Short-Term and Long-Term Memory in Aplysia.
Abstract
Several lines of evidence support a 'parallel processing' view for short- and long- term memory in Aplysia: (1) The cellular analog of long-term memory, long-term synaptic facilitation (LTF), can be induced by repeated applications of the neuromodulator serotonin (5HT) in the complete absence of the analog of short-term memory, short-term facilitation (STF). (2) STF and LTF can be dissociated by their temporal dynamics: STF decays within 2 hours, whereas LTF does not begin to be expressed until 10-15 hours. (3) A novel stage of intermediate-term facilitation (lTF) seems to be a precondition to triggering the long-term process (LTF). (4) It has long been known that spaced behavioral training typically produces superior memory compared to massed training. We observe a related phonemenon at the synaptic level: 5 spaced applications of 511T induces STF, ITF and E!?F, whereas comparable exposure to 5HT at one time induces only STF and ITF; no LTF is induced. Finally, at a behavioral level, we find that long-term memory for sensitization can be induced in the absence of short-term memory.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA315308
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Carew
Organizations
- Yale University