Skip to main content

The Role of Consolidation in Memory

  • Chapter
Biochemistry of Brain and Behavior

Abstract

The theory of memory consolidation in its most basic form holds that there is a finite interval between the reception of a learning experience and its permanent storage. During this time the memory trace is held in a short term, impermanent system and is susceptible to disruption. Permanent or long term memory trace formation might occur through the short term system or be initiated independently. The evidence supporting a short term memory system has been obtained largely from studies using ECS in humans and experimental animals, that for a long term system from the effects, in animals, of inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the hypothetical nature of these assumptions and to reexamine them in the light of some of the psychological variables involved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • ADAMS, R. M., & CALHOUN, W. H. Time dependent memory storage: An alternative interpretation of some data. Psychonomic Science, 1970, 18, 42–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • ADAMS, H. E., & LEWIS, D. J. Retrograde amnesia and competing responses. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 1962, 55, 302–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • AGRANOFF, B. W., DAVIS, R. E., CASOLA, L., & LIM, R. Actinomycin D blocks formation of memory of shock avoidance in goldfish. Science, 1967, 158, 1600–1601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ARON, C., GLICK, S. D., & JARVIK, M. E. Long lasting proactive effects of a single ECS. Physi-ology & Behavior, 1969, 4, 785–790.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BARONDES, S. H., & COHEN, H. D. Memory impairment after subcutaneous injection of acetoxycycloheximide. Science, 1968, 160, 556–557.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • BLACK, M. Incubation of discriminated avoidance responses: ECS does not interrupt long term memory consolidation. Paper presented at the meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Philadelphia, April, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • BRUSH, F. R., & LEVINE, S. Adrenocortical activity and avoidance learning as a function of time after fear conditioning. Physiology & Behavior, 1966, 1, 309–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CHEVALIER, J. A. Permanence of amnesia after a single post-trial electroconvulsive seizure. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1965, 59, 125–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CHOROVER, S. L., & DELUCA, A. M. Transient change in electrocorticographic reaction to ECS in the rat following foot shock.. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 69, 141–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CHOROVER, S. L., & SCHILLER, P. H. Re-examination of prolonged retrograde amnesia in one trial learning. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1966, 61, 34–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • COHEN, H. D., & BARONDES, S. H. Cycloheximide impairs memory of an appetitive task. Communications in Behavioral Biology, 1968, 1, 337–339. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • COHEN, H. D., & BARONDES, S. H. Effects of acetoxycycloheximide on learning and memory of a light-dark discrimination. Nature, 1968, 216, 271–273. (b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • COONS, E. E., & MILLER, N. E. Conflict versus consolidation of memory traces to explain the retrograde amnesia produced by ECS. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1960, 53, 524–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CRONHOLM, B., & LAGERGREN, A. Memory disturbance after electroconvulsive therapy. Acta Psychiatrica et Neurologica Scandinavica, 1959, 34, 283–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DAVIS, R. E., & AGRANOFF, B. W. Stages of memory formation in goldfish: Evidence for an environmental trigger. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 1966, 55, 555–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DAVIS, R. E., & KLINGER, P. D. Environmental control of amnesic effects of various agents in goldfish. Physiology & Behavior, 1969, 4, 269–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FLEXNER, J. B., FLEXNER, L. B., & STELLAR, E. Memory in mice as affected by intracerebral puromycin. Science, 1963, 141, 57–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • GELLER, A., & JARVIK, M. E. Electroconvulsive shock induced amnesia and recovery. Psy-chonomic Science, 1968, 10, 15–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • GELLER, A., ROBUSTELLI, F., BARONDES, S. H., COHEN, H. D., & JARVIK, M. E. Impaired performance by post-trial injections of cycloheximide in a passive avoidance task. Psychopharmacologia, 1969, 14, 371–376.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • GELLER, A., ROBUSTELLI, F., & JARVIK, M. E. A parallel study of the amnesic effects of cyclo-heximide and ECS under different strengths of conditioning. Psychopharmacologia, 1970, 16, 281–289. (a)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • GELLER, A., ROBUSTELLI, F., & JARVIK, M. E. Incubation and the Kamin effect. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1970, in press. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • GELLER, A., ROBUSTELLI, F., & JARVIK, M. E. Permanence of a long temporal gradient of retrograde amnesia induced by electroconvulsive shock. Psychonomic Science, 1970, in press, (c)

    Google Scholar 

  • GELLER, M., & GELLER, A. Brief amnestic effects of spike wave discharges. Neurology, 1970, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • HERZ, M. J. Interference with one trial appetitive and aversive learning by ether and ECS. Proceedings of the 75th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, 1967, pp. 83–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • HUDSON, B. B. One trial learning in the domestic rat. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 1950, 41, 99–147.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • HUTT, S. J., LEE, D., & OUNSTED, C. Digit memory and evoked discharges in four light sensitive epileptic children. Developmental Medicine in Child Neurology, 1963, 5, 559–571.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IRWIN, S., BANUAZIZI, A., KALSNER, S., & CURTIS, A. One trial learning in the mouse. I. Its characteristics and modification by experimental-seasonal variables. Psychopharmacologia (Berl.), 1968, 12, 286–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JARVIK, M. E., & KOPP, R. An improved one trial passive avoidance learning situation. Psychological Reports, 1967, 21, 221–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • KAMIN, L. J. The retention of an incompletely learned avoidance response. Journal of Comparative & Psyslologlcal Psychology, 1957, 50, 457–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KOHLENBERG, R., & TRABASSO, T. Recovery of a conditioned emotional response after one or two electroconvulsive shocks. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1968, 65, 270–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LUTTGES, M. W., & MCGAUGH, J. L. Permanence of retrograde amnesia produced by electroconvulsive shock. Science, 1967, 156, 408–410.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MARQUIS, H. A., & SUBOSKI, M. D. Hypophysectomy and ACTH replacement in the incubation of passive and shuttle box avoidance functions. Proceedings of the 77th Annual Convention of theAmericanPsychological Association, 1969, pp. 207–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mcgaugh, J. L. Time dependent processes in memory storage. Science, 1966, 153, 1351–1358.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MCMICHAEL, J. S. Incubation of anxiety and instrumental behavior. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1966, 61, 208–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, A. J. Variations in retrograde amnesia with parameters of electroconvulsive shock and time of testing. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1968, 66, 40–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MISANIN, J. R., MILLER, R. R., & LEWIS, D. J. Retrograde amnesia produced by electroconvulsive shock after reactivation of a consolidated memory trace. Science, 1968, 160, 554–555.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • PINEL, J. P. J. A short gradient of ECS produced amnesia in a one trial appetitive learning situation. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 68, 650–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PINEL, J. P. J., & COOPER, R. M. Incubation and its implications for the interpretation of the ECS gradient effect. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 6, 123–124. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • PINEL, J. P. J., & COOPER, R. M. The relationship between incubation and ECS gradient effects. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 6, 125–126. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • ROBUSTELLI, F., Geller, A., & Jarvik, M. E. Delay of punishment in passive avoidance conditioning. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1968, 27, 553–554.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ROBUSTELLI, F., GELLER, A., & JARVIK, M. E. Temporal gradient of 23 hours with electroconvulsive shock and its implications. Communications in Behavioral Biology, 1969, 4, 79–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • ROBUSTELLI, F., GELLER, A., & JARVIK, M. E. Combined action of two amnesic treatments. Communications in Behavioral Biology, 1970, in press. (a)

    Google Scholar 

  • ROBUSTELLI, F., GELLER, A., & JARVIK, M. E. Biphasicity of the incubation curve. Psychonomic Science, 1970, in press. (b)

    Google Scholar 

  • RUSSELL, W. R., & NATHAN, P. W. Traumatic amnesia. Brain, 1946, 69, 280–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SCHNEIDER, A. M., & SHERMAN, W. Amnesia: A function of the temporal relation of foot shock to electroconvulsive shock. Science, 1968, 159, 219–221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SPEVAK, A. A., & SUBOSKI, M. D. Retrograde effects of electroconvulsive shock on learned responses. Psychological Bulletin, 1969, 72, 66–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SUBOSKI, M. D., BLACK, M., LITNER, J., GRENNER, R. T., & SPEVAK, A. A. Long and short term effects of ECS following one trial discriminated avoidance. Neuropsychologia, 1969, 7, 349–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TARPY, R. M. Incubation of anxiety as measured by response suppression. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 4, 189–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • WEISS, J. M., MCEWEN, B. S., SILVA, M. T., & KALKUT, M. F. Pituitary adrenal influences in fear responding. Science, 1969, 163, 197–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ZAMMIT-MONTEBELLO, A., BLACK, M., MARQUIS, H. A., & SUBOSKI, M. D. Incubation of passive avoidance in rats. Journal of Comparative & Physiological Psychology, 1969, 69, 579–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ZERBOLIO, D. J. Memory storage: The first post-trial hour. Psychonomic Science, 1969, 15, 57–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • ZINKIN, S., & MILLER, A. J. Recovery of memory after amnesia induced by ECS. Science, 1967, 155, 102–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1970 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Geller, A., Jarvik, M.E. (1970). The Role of Consolidation in Memory. In: Bowman, R.E., Datta, S.P. (eds) Biochemistry of Brain and Behavior. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-9048-0_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-9048-0_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-9050-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-9048-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics