Behavioral Tagging: A Translation of the Synaptic Tagging and Capture Hypothesis

Figure 1

Requirements of the behavioral tagging and capture processes. (a) A weak training that only induces transient form of memory (STM) also induces a learning tag (dashed circle). (b) In order to establish long-term memory (LTM) the tag set by the weak training captures PRPs (red circle) synthesized by an independent strong experience. The process presents temporal constrains and only is effective within a critical time window (only PRPs from the strong events experienced at time 2 and time 3 interact with the learning tag). Note that it exhibits symmetry because PRPs can be captured either if they are synthesized before or after the setting of the tag. (c) The spatial constraint is another important condition that operates in the behavioral tagging (BT) process because the PRPs should interact with the tags; thus, both training events should activate an overlapped population of neurons in the target structure (see (b)). When the learning tag is induced by a weak training (in light blue target structure) in different places where PRPs are synthesized (in white target structure), no BT process occurs and no LTM is observed.

(a) PRP’s requirements

(b) Temporal constraint

(c) Spatial constraint