Glycoproteins and memory formation

One-trial passive avoidance training in day-old chicks results in a biochemical cascade occurring in two forebrain regions, the intermediate medial hyperstriatum ventrale and the lobus parolfactorius. This cascade, initiated by synaptic transients, results in the activation of immediate early genes and culminates in the de novo synthesis of a family of pre- and post-synaptic membrane glycoproteins, that, inserted into the membrane, serve in the remodelling of synaptic connectivity which is a requirement for the brain representations constituting long-term memory. There are two waves of glycoprotein synthesis consequent on training, the first occurring within an hour of the training experience and the second 5.5-8 h post-training. Blocking synthesis during these time windows results in amnesia for the task. Amongst the glycoproteins involved are two cell adhesion molecules, NCAM and L1. Injection of antibodies to L1 result in amnesia if injected during either time window, but not outside these times; antibodies to NCAM result in amnesia only if injected at the 5.5-h timepoint. I interpret these results as indicating that de novo synthesis of NCAM during the second time window is necessary for producing a persistent memory trace.