Melatonin Suppresses Nighttime Memory Formation in Zebrafish
Abstract
Memory processes are modulated by the biological clock, although the mechanisms are unknown. Here, we report that in the diurnal zebrafish both learning and memory formation of an operant conditioning paradigm occur better during the day than during the night. Melatonin treatment during the day mimics the nighttime suppression of memory formation. Training in constant light improves nighttime memory formation while reducing endogenous melatonin concentrations. Treatment with melatonin receptor antagonists at night dramatically improves memory. Pinealectomy also significantly improves nighttime memory formation. We adduce that melatonin is both sufficient and necessary for poor memory formation during the night.
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“and of an active avoidance task in diurnal zebrafish (971)”
From About Sleep's Role in Memory (2013) · cites this paper as [971]
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- Authors
- Rawashdeh, O., de Borsetti, N. H., Roman, G., & Cahill, G. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Houston (US)
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, 369 Science and Research II, Houston, TX 77204–5001, USA.
- Corresponding author
- Roman, Gregg
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2007-11-16
- Volume
- 318
- Issue
- 5853
- Pages
- 1144-1146
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W1968317950
- Cited by
- 150
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 4.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01mh060939-04)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH60939)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- melatonin, memory formation, circadian clock, diurnal cycle, zebrafish, operant conditioning, learning, melatonin receptor antagonists, pinealectomy, constant light, biological clock
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Darkness, Male, Melatonin, Memory, Zebrafish
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