Neurotransmitter Systems and Memory
Ever since the discovery of the chemical nature of synaptic transmission, the role of neurotransmitters in the formation and retrieval of memories has been the subject of intense scientific investigation. As the number of both neurotransmitters and forms of memories has been steadily increasing over the years, the task of uncovering general principles describing the involvement of neurotransmitter systems in memory has become extremely difficult. Furthermore, the lack of understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of learning and memory has limited the experimental approaches to two general strategies: (1) an interventional strategy using pharmacological tools or lesion/stimulation of specific neurotransmitter systems; and (2) a correlational strategy using "naturally" occurring conditions (neurological diseases, aging) affecting specific neurotransmitter systems, or genetically engineered mutant mice. Basedon these studies, a number of neurotransmitters and neuronal pathways using these neurotransmitters have consistently demonstrated an important role in learning and memory (Chapoutier, 1989; Decker and McGaugh, 1991).
Glutamate
In early work using an avian retina preparation, proline was found to inhibit glutamate release; as pro-line had also been shown to inhibit learning and memory in chicks, researchers suggested that glutamate played a significant role in learning and memory. Building on these results, Cherkin and his colleagues (1976) published a series of articles demonstrating that various glutamate antagonists injected intracerebrally could retard memory consolidation in neonatal chicks, using a behavioral paradigm involving flavor aversion learning.
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