A neural circuit mechanism integrating motivational state with memory expression in Drosophila.

Journal article

Behavioral expression of food-associated memory in fruit flies is constrained by satiety and promoted by hunger, suggesting an influence of motivational state. Here, we identify a neural mechanism that integrates the internal state of hunger and appetitive memory. We show that stimulation of neurons that express neuropeptide F (dNPF), an ortholog of mammalian NPY, mimics food deprivation and promotes memory performance in satiated flies. Robust appetitive memory performance requires the dNPF receptor in six dopaminergic neurons that innervate a distinct region of the mushroom bodies. Blocking these dopaminergic neurons releases memory performance in satiated flies, whereas stimulation suppresses memory performance in hungry flies. Therefore, dNPF and dopamine provide a motivational switch in the mushroom body that controls the output of appetitive memory.

Authors: Krashes, M; Dasgupta, S; Vreede, A; White, B; Armstrong, J

• Journal: Cell
• Volume: 139
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 416-427
• Publication date: 2009-10-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.08.035
• EISSN: 1097-4172
• ISSN: 0092-8674
• Language: English
• Keywords: Animals; Dopamine; Receptors, Neuropeptide; Drosophila melanogaster; Memory; Behavior, Animal; Appetitive Behavior; Conditioning, Classical; Neuropeptides; Mushroom Bodies; Drosophila Proteins; Motivation