A neural circuit mechanism integrating motivational state with memory expression in Drosophila.
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.
Krashes
Michael J
MJ
Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
DasGupta
Shamik
S
Vreede
Andrew
A
White
Benjamin
B
Armstrong
J Douglas
JD
Waddell
Scott
S
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory; D009042:Motivation; D024521:Mushroom Bodies / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology*; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000502:physiology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C499701:NPFR protein, Drosophila; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; C400215:neuropeptide F, Drosophila; D004298:Dopamine