Towards a Molecular and Cellular Understanding of Remote Memory

Abstract

While the molecular, cellular and systems mechanisms required for the initial processing of memory have been intensively investigated by the new field of molecular and cellular cognition, those underlying permanent storage remain elusive. Here, we review neuroanatomical, pharmacological and genetic results demonstrating that specific areas of the cortex play a critical role in the storage of remote memory. Imaging experiments in rodents show that specific areas of the cortex are activated by remote memory and that this activation is impaired by manipulations that block remote memory. Accordingly, reversible inactivation of specific cortical structures in rodents disrupts remote memory without affecting recent memory. These results open a new, exciting window into memory studies and suggest a number of interesting experiments that will address molecular, cellular, systems and cognitive aspects of this poorly understood phase of memory.