title: Mutations that prevent associative learning in C. elegans.
abstract: The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers a promising system for the reductionist study of learning and memory. In this article, classical conditioning in C. elegans is demonstrated with a variety of associative learning assays. These assays allowed for the isolation and behavioral characterization of 2 mutant C. elegans lines impaired in associative learning. Both lines show no short-term or long-term associative conditioning; however, they appear relatively normal in tests of nonassociative learning and sensorimotor function. In combination with the well-described genetics and neuroanatomy of C. elegans, the isolation of mutants selectively, yet completely, blocked in associative learning provides the basis for an effective characterization of the cellular and molecular aspects of associative learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rambaldini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Runciman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Kooy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity