title: Artificial Induction of Associative Olfactory Memory by Optogenetic and Thermogenetic Activation of Olfactory Sensory Neurons and Octopaminergic Neurons in Drosophila Larvae.
abstract: The larval brain of Drosophila melanogaster provides an excellent system for the study of the neurocircuitry mechanism of memory. Recent development of neurogenetic techniques in fruit flies enables manipulations of neuronal activities in freely behaving animals. This protocol describes detailed steps for artificial induction of olfactory associative memory in Drosophila larvae. In this protocol, the natural reward signal is substituted by thermogenetic activation of octopaminergic neurons in the brain. In parallel, the odor signal is substituted by optogenetic activation of a specific class of olfactory receptor neurons. Association of reward and odor stimuli is achieved with the concomitant application of blue light and heat that leads to activation of both sets of neurons in living transgenic larvae. Given its operational simplicity and robustness, this method could be utilized to further our knowledge on the neurocircuitry mechanism of memory in the fly brain.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Sciences, University of TsukubaTsukuba, Japan; Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors, University of TsukubaTsukuba, Japan; International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of TsukubaTsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Takato
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Sciences, University of TsukubaTsukuba, Japan; International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of TsukubaTsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Chi-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honjo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Furukubo-Tokunaga
keywords: Drosophila; behavior assay; learning and memory; optogenetics; thermogenetics