Neurophysiological analysis of dopamine dependnent odor preference changes

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18577
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Animal physiology/Animal behavior
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science
• Principal Investigator: NAGANOS Shintaro 公益財団法人東京都医学総合研究所, 認知症・高次脳機能研究分野, 主任研究員 (30631965)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ドーパミン / 行動の可塑性 / 学習記憶 / 電気化学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Experience-dependent preference changes are found in various animals from mammals to insects. However, the detail of its molecular and cellular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we employed olfactory associations in Drosophila melanogaster and investigated neurophysiological processes of experience dependent odor preference changes. We found that monoamine neurotransmitter, dopamine, and dopaminergic neurons were required for preference behavioral plasticity. Then, we employed electrochemical method and calcium imaging to detect dopamine release and neural activities of dopaminergic neuron, respectively. As results, we have identified that each brain regions, which regulate odor preference behavior, have unique dopamine release manners.

Free Research Field

神経生理学