Short communicationSleep deprivation alters phosphorylated CREB levels in the amygdala: Relationship with performance in a fear conditioning task

We investigated the relationship between deficits in fear memory induced by sleep deprivation and pCREB expression in the basal and central nuclei of the amygdala. Sleep deprivation reduced pCREB expression in the central nucleus compared to control or sleep recovered groups, and in the basal nucleus only compared to sleep recovered group. Moreover, 24 h of sleep recovery prior to training prevented changes in both pCREB expression and performance.

► We investigated pCREB expression in the amygdala and fear memory after sleep deprivation. ► Sleep deprivation reduced pCREB expression in the central amygdaloid nucleus. ► Sleep deprivation impaired fear memory retention. ► Twenty-four hours of sleep recovery restored pCREB expression. ► Twenty-four hours of sleep recovery prevented memory deficit.