Neurogenesis-mediated forgetting minimizes proactive interference.

Authors

Jonathan R Epp, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8
Rudy Silva Mera, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8
Stefan Köhler, Department of Psychology, Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7 & Baycrest Centre, Rotman Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6A 2E1
Sheena A Josselyn, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8 & Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8 & Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8 & Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3GM
Paul W Frankland, Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 1X8 & Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8 & Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A8 & Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3GM

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-26-2016

Journal

Nature Communication

Volume

7

First Page

10838

Last Page

10838

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1038/ncomms10838

Abstract

Established memories may interfere with the encoding of new memories, particularly when existing and new memories overlap in content. By manipulating levels of hippocampal neurogenesis, here we show that neurogenesis regulates this form of proactive interference. Increasing hippocampal neurogenesis weakens existing memories and, in doing so, facilitates the encoding of new, conflicting (but not non-conflicting) information in mice. Conversely, decreasing neurogenesis stabilizes existing memories, and impedes the encoding of new, conflicting information. These results suggest that reduced proactive interference is an adaptive benefit of neurogenesis-induced forgetting.