Attention-like processes in Drosophila require short-term memory genes.
Although there is much behavioral evidence for complex brain functions in insects, it is not known whether insects have selective attention. In humans, selective attention is a dynamic process restricting perception to a succession of salient stimuli, while less relevant competing stimuli are suppressed. Local field potential recordings in the brains of flies responding to visual novelty revealed attention-like processes with stereotypical temporal properties. These processes were modulated by genes involved in short-term memory formation, namely dunce and rutabaga. Attention defects in these mutants were associated with distinct optomotor effects in behavioral assays.
van Swinderen
Bruno
B
Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. van@nsi.edu
D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004594:Electrophysiology; D017344:Genes, Insect; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009039:Motion Perception; D009154:Mutation; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D014785:Vision, Ocular
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; C479926:Rut protein, Drosophila