FIGURE 1.

Mechanism for memory formation and maintenance. Learning stimulation leads to short-term memory, which lasts a few hours and is converted to long-term memory through a process of consolidation. Active memory is formed by recalling and updating long-term memory. This updated memory becomes long-term memory through a process of memory reconsolidation. Reconsolidation is a protein synthesis-dependent process that is required for updating the reactivated memory and for maintaining long-term memory.