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

Krashes MJ., DasGupta S., Vreede A., White B., Armstrong JD., Waddell S.

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.

DOI

10.1016/j.cell.2009.08.035

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell

Publication Date

16/10/2009

Volume

139

Pages

416 - 427

Keywords

Animals, Appetitive Behavior, Behavior, Animal, Conditioning, Classical, Dopamine, Drosophila Proteins, Drosophila melanogaster, Memory, Motivation, Mushroom Bodies, Neuropeptides, Receptors, Neuropeptide

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