Common molecular mechanisms in explicit and implicit memory.

Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante (UMH-CSIC), Campus de Sant Joan, Spain.

Cellular and molecular studies of both implicit and explicit memory suggest that experience-dependent modulation of synaptic strength and structure is a fundamental mechanism by which these memories are encoded and stored within the brain. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of two types of memory storage: (i) sensitization in Aplysia, a simple form of implicit memory, and (ii) formation of explicit spatial memories in the mouse hippocampus. These two processes share common molecular mechanisms that have been highly conserved through evolution.

PMID: 16805766 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]