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Multiple spaced trials of aversive differential conditioning can produce two independent long-term memories (LTMs) of opposite valence. One is an aversive memory for avoiding the conditioned stimulus (CS+), and the other is a safety memory for approaching the non-conditioned stimulus (CS-). Here, we show that a single trial of aversive differential conditioning yields one merged LTM (mLTM) for avoiding both CS+ and CS-. Such mLTM can be detected after sequential exposures to the shock-paired CS+ and -unpaired CS-, and be retrieved by either CS+ or CS-. The formation of mLTM relies on triggering aversive-reinforcing dopaminergic neurons and subsequent new protein synthesis. Expressing mLTM involves αβ Kenyon cells and corresponding approach-directing mushroom body output neurons, in which similar-amplitude long-term depression of responses to CS+ and CS- seems to signal the mLTM. Our results suggest that animals can develop distinct strategies for occasional and repeated threatening experiences.

Original publication

DOI

10.7554/eLife.66499

Type

Journal article

Journal

Elife

Publication Date

19/07/2021

Volume

10

Keywords

D. melanogaster, Drosophila, aversive training, differential conditioning, long-term memory, neuroscience, olfactory memory, single-trial training, Animals, Brain, Conditioning, Classical, Conditioning, Psychological, Dopaminergic Neurons, Drosophila melanogaster, Female, Memory, Memory, Long-Term, Mushroom Bodies, Neurons