Neural mechanisms that underlie action selection based on integrated sensory information

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18352
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Shiozaki Hiroshi 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 脳科学総合研究センター, 研究員 (50630571)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 記憶 / 視覚 / Drosophila / 運動 / 意思決定 / 神経活動 / 神経回路 / 飛行

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To understand neural mechanisms that underlie action selection based on sensory information, we analyzed brain regions related to action selection in Drosophila melanogaster by using rich genetic tools available in this species. We identified a brain region responsible for flight orientation based on visual memory and showed that the brain region encodes memory, motor, and visual information during behavior. We also found that parts of the brain region encoding memory and motor information constitute independent, parallel neural circuits. These findings provided insight into neural mechanisms of sensorimotor transformation.

Free Research Field

神経科学