Behavioral Tagging: Unveiling the Intricacies of Memory Consolidation

Learning and memory are complex and interconnected processes that shape our understanding of the world. Learning involves the acquisition of new knowledge or skills through experience, while memory refers to the retention and recall of that information. These processes rely on the brain's ability to form and strengthen synaptic connections between neurons, known as synaptic plasticity. Neurobehavioral studies are employed to elucidate how the brain processes emotions, behavior, and learning. These studies typically prioritize learning and memory processes as they are the most quantifiable methods. Several cellular theories such as long-term potentiation, long-term depression, synaptic tagging, cross-tagging are thoroughly studied to understand the molecular framework of memory consolidation phenomenon ex vivo. Extrapolating these theories to the in vivo model is achieved through behavioral tagging (BT) model. BT serves as a valuable framework for unraveling the complex mechanisms underlying the facilitation of memory consolidation for a weaker event through the occurrence of a novel event. By employing BT, researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of the broader processes involved in learning and memory. Thus, in the present chapter we provided a brief about cellular theories to understand the process of memory consolidation. Further, detailed discussion is provided on the studies of BT and how they have established several molecular frameworks for better understanding of fundamental brain functioning.