Olfactory recognition: a simple memory system - PubMed (original) (raw)

. 1990 Nov 30;250(4985):1223-6.

doi: 10.1126/science.2147078.

Affiliations

Olfactory recognition: a simple memory system

P Brennan et al. Science. 1990.

Abstract

Mice have an olfactory (pheromone) recognition memory located at the first relay in the sensory system. It is acquired with one-trial learning, contingent upon norepinephrine activation at mating, and lasts for several weeks. The mechanism involves Hebbian (association-dependent) changes in synaptic efficacy at dendrodendritic synapses in the accessory olfactory bulb. As a result of this memory, males made familiar by mating are recognized by the females, thereby mitigating pregnancy block. Such a memory function is biologically important to the female, as it is required to sustain pregnancy in the presence of her stud male's odors.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources