Engram cells retain memory under retrograde amnesia

TLDR

In studies of retrograde amnesia, researchers assume that protein synthesis inhibition blocks memory engram consolidation, preventing retrieval of conditioned memories. Light‑induced activation of tagged neurons reactivated the memory, showing that increased synaptic strength from cellular consolidation is not essential for memory storage. Ryan et al., Science, p.

Abstract

Experimental recovery from retrograde amnesia When memory researchers induce amnesia, they normally assume that the manipulations prevent the memory engram from effective encoding at consolidation. In accordance with this, Ryan et al. found that after the injection of protein synthesis inhibitors, animals could not retrieve a memory. However, to their surprise, the memory could nevertheless be reactivated by light-induced activation of the neurons tagged during conditioning. Increased synaptic strength that is the result of cellular consolidation is thus not a critical requisite for storing a memory. Science , this issue p. 1007