Pattern and predictability in memory formation: From molecular mechanisms to clinical relevance

• Published in: Neurobiology of learning and memory Vol. 105; pp. 117 - 124
• Main Authors: Philips, Gary T., Kopec, Ashley M., Carew, Thomas J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01-10-2013; Elsevier; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Learning; Learning - physiology; Memory; Memory, Long-Term - physiology; Mice; Neurobiology; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurons; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Signal Transduction; Spacing effect; Training pattern; Translational Research, Biomedical; Learning; Training pattern; Spacing effect; Memory; Acquisition process; Spacing; Formation
• ISSN: 1074-7427; 1095-9564
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.05.003

•The spacing effect is a highly conserved feature of memory formation from humans to invertebrates.•Recent molecular studies provide new insights into how learning occurs across a broad range of spaced training intervals.•An increased understanding of inter-trial signaling mechanisms will help identify and optimize novel learning strategies.•Neurological disorders can alter training pattern sensitivity, while leaving intact the actual ability to learn.•Novel training patterns, informed by mechanistic studies of inter-trial signaling, may mitigate deficits in memory disorders.
Most long-term memories are formed as a consequence of multiple experiences. The temporal spacing of these experiences is of considerable importance: experiences distributed over time (spaced training) are more easily encoded and remembered than either closely spaced experiences, or a single prolonged experience (massed training). In this article, we first review findings from studies in animal model systems that examine the cellular and molecular properties of the neurons and circuits in the brain that underlie training pattern sensitivity during long-term memory (LTM) formation. We next focus on recent findings which have begun to elucidate the mechanisms that support inter-trial interactions during the induction of LTM. Finally, we consider the implications of these findings for developing therapeutic strategies to address questions of direct clinical relevance.