Figure 1. Positive and negative events produce unique gene expression profiles for immediate-early genes in mice.

Two groups of mice are exposed to either a positive experience (left) or negative experience (right). This triggers the activation of five immediate-early genes (Arc, Egr2, Egr4, Fos and Fosb; different color triangles) in the neurons of brain regions that are involved in the formation of long-term memories. The level of expression of each gene is quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression pattern of these five genes (bottom) is specific to the event experienced by the mice.

IMAGE CREDIT: Vivek Sagar and Thorsten Kahnt.