The MAP(K) of fear: from memory consolidation to memory extinction

Vincenzo Cestari; Clelia Rossi-Arnaud; Daniele Saraulli; Marco Costanzi

doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.09.007

The MAP(K) of fear: from memory consolidation to memory extinction

Brain Res Bull. 2014 Jun:105:8-16. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.09.007. Epub 2013 Sep 27.

Authors

Vincenzo Cestari¹, Clelia Rossi-Arnaud², Daniele Saraulli³, Marco Costanzi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: vincenzo.cestari@uniroma1.it.
² Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy.
³ Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy.
⁴ Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, p.zza delle Vaschette 101, 00193 Rome, Italy.

PMID: 24080449
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.09.007

Abstract

The highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling cascade is involved in several intracellular processes ranging from cell differentiation to proliferation, as well as in synaptic plasticity. In the last two decades, the role of MAPK/ERK in long-term memory formation in mammals, particularly in fear-related memories, has been extensively investigated. In this review we describe knowledge advancement on the role of MAPK/ERK in orchestrating the intracellular processes that lead to the consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction of fear memories. In doing so, we report studies in which the specific role of MAP/ERK in switching from memory formation to memory erasure has been suggested. The possibility to target MAPK/ERK in developing and/or refining pharmacological approaches to treat psychiatric disorders in which fear regulation is defective has also been envisaged.

Keywords: Consolidation; ERK/MAPK; Extinction; Fear memories; Reconsolidation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Extinction, Psychological / physiology*
Fear*
Humans
MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
Memory / physiology*
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / genetics
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases