Neural computations that underlie short-term memory in Drosophila

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25750410
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Brain biometrics
• Research Institution: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: SHIOZAKI Hiroshi 独立行政法人理化学研究所, 脳科学総合研究センター, 基礎科学特別研究員 (50630571)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 作動記憶 / 視覚 / Drosophila melanogaster / 行動選択 / 意思決定 / 神経活動 / 神経回路 / 感覚運動変換

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To study how the neural circuits that underlie short-term memory operate, we focused on rich genetic tools available in Drosophila melanogaster and developed a novel experimental system. Using this system, we found that flies remember the position of a visual object for several seconds and use this memory for flight orientation. By recording the neural activity while a fly was performing a short-term memory task, we revealed that neurons in the brain region called bulb carry signals related to visual stimuli, turn direction, and short-term memory.

Free Research Field

複合領域