This study investigates the role of synaptic plasticity in memory formation by manipulating synaptic inputs to the lateral amygdala (LA) using optogenetic tools. The researchers found that optogenetically potentiating synapses normally not strengthened by fear conditioning leads to preferential memory encoding in the manipulated cell ensembles. This effect is reversed by optical long-term depression (LTD) delivered shortly after training, while optical long-term potentiation (LTP) alone is sufficient to induce preferential encoding. These results suggest a synaptic plasticity-dependent competition rule underlying memory formation.

Yire Jeong, Hye-Yeon Cho, Mujun Kim, Jung-Pyo Oh, Min Soo Kang, Miran Yoo, Han-Sol Lee, Jin-Hee Han