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Persistent activity in a recurrent circuit underlies courtship memory in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Recurrent connections are thought to be a common feature of the neural circuits that encode memories, but how memories are laid down in such circuits is not fully understood. Here we present evidence that courtship memory in Drosophila relies on the recurrent circuit between mushroom body gamma (MB?), M6 output, and aSP13 dopaminergic neurons. We demonstrate persistent neuronal activity of aSP13 neurons and show that it transiently potentiates synaptic transmission from MB?>M6 neurons. M6 neurons in turn provide input to aSP13 neurons, prolonging potentiation of MB?>M6 synapses over time periods that match short-term memory. These data support a model in which persistent aSP13 activity within a recurrent circuit lays the foundation for a short-term memory.

SUBMITTER: Zhao X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5800849 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Persistent activity in a recurrent circuit underlies courtship memory in Drosophila.

Zhao Xiaoliang X Lenek Daniela D Dag Ugur U Dickson Barry J BJ Keleman Krystyna K

eLife 20180111

Recurrent connections are thought to be a common feature of the neural circuits that encode memories, but how memories are laid down in such circuits is not fully understood. Here we present evidence that courtship memory in Drosophila relies on the recurrent circuit between mushroom body gamma (MBγ), M6 output, and aSP13 dopaminergic neurons. We demonstrate persistent neuronal activity of aSP13 neurons and show that it transiently potentiates synaptic transmission from MBγ>M6 neurons. M6 ...[more]

PMID: 29322941

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