2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Neural mechanism underlying the auditory memory in fruit flies
Project Area | Principles of memory dynamism elucidated from a diversity of learning systems |
Project/Area Number |
25115007
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
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Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
Review Section |
Biological Sciences
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Research Institution | Nagoya University |
Principal Investigator |
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Project Period (FY) |
2013-06-28 – 2018-03-31
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Keywords | 聴覚学習 / 神経回路機構 |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Many animals use the courtship sound in their mating behaviors. The courtship sound emitted by the sender gradually affects the receiver’s mating drive, which finally leads to its rejection of acceptance. We studied how the courtship sound is accumulated in the receiver’s brain and evokes an appropriate mating decision. Firstly, we mapped the auditory neural circuits in the fly brain by identifying interneurons that project to the primary auditory center. Secondly, we identified the feed-forward circuit that tunes the selectivity for a species-specific rhythm in the courtship sound. Finally, we found that an experience of hearing the conspecific song as a young adult sharpens the song preference and mate selection as a breeding adult. Together, we revealed a mechanism underlying the information processing and memory formation of the courtship sound in the fruit-fly brain.
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Free Research Field |
神経科学
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