Long-term storage of an associative memory trace in the cerebellum

Abstract

Distinct neural regions may be engaged during acquisition and maintenance of some memories. In delay classical conditioning of the eyeblink response, the cerebellum is necessary for acquisition and expression of the conditioned response (CR), but loci of long-term memory storage are not known. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were trained, overtrained, and given either 30 additional days of training or 30 days of rest. Half the subjects in the rest group were given a reminder training session. Subjects then received either reversible inactivation of the cerebellar interpositus nucleus (muscimol) or permanent electrolytic lesions. In all cases, inactivation and lesions of the interpositus completely abolished the CR. The site of memory formation in the interpositus nucleus also appears to be the site of long-term memory storage.