Expression of a Form of Cerebellar Motor Memory Requires Learned Alterations to the Activity of Inhibitory Molecular Layer Interneurons

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0731-22.2022
• Publication Date: 2022-12-09T18:50:14Z
• Authors: Audrey Bonnan; Ke Zhang; Michael A. Gaffield; Jason M. Christie
• Keywords: Motor Learning; Climbing fiber; Associative learning; Eyeblink conditioning; Engram

Procedural memories formed in the cerebellum response to motor errors depend on changes Purkinje cell (PC) spiking patterns that correct movement when erroneous context is repeated. Because molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) inhibit PCs, learning-induced MLI output may participate reshaping PC patterns. However, it remains unclear whether error-driven learning alters activity and such are necessary for memory engram. We addressed this knowledge gap by measuring manipulating flocculus of both sexes mice before after vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) adaptation. found MLIs activated during vestibular stimuli their population exhibits a phase shift instantiation gain-increase VOR adaptation, type thought require climbing-fiber-mediated instructive signaling. Although acute optogenetic suppression did not affect baseline performance, negated expression learning, demonstrating specific role expression. This effect was transitory; multiday consolidation period, no longer sensitive suppression. Together, our results indicate alteration labile, climbing-fiber-induced SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In cerebellum, induces an associative sensorimotor that, recalled, new pattern improves subsequent trials performance. Our study shows cerebellar required express corrective memory.