dopaminergic neurons

Postsynaptic plasticity of cholinergic synapses underlies the induction and expression of appetitive and familiarity memories in Drosophila

mycolabadmin

Scientists discovered that fruit flies store memories using postsynaptic changes at cholinergic synapses, similar to how humans use postsynaptic mechanisms at glutamate synapses. Specific acetylcholine receptor subunits (α5 and α2) in brain cells called M4/6 neurons are required for different stages of memory formation. The research shows that fundamental memory storage mechanisms are conserved across evolution despite differences in the chemical messengers used.

Strain-specific effects of Desulfovibrio on neurodegeneration and oxidative stress in a Caenorhabditis elegans PD model

mycolabadmin

This research shows that different strains of bacteria called Desulfovibrio have very different effects on brain health. When scientists exposed worms to six different strains, they found that environmental strains actually protected against Parkinson’s-like symptoms, while strains from human patients and animals caused more damage. The worms strongly preferred to eat the environmental strains, suggesting they could sense which bacteria were harmful. This highlights how the type of bacteria in our gut matters just as much as the total amount.

Optogenetic induction of appetitive and aversive taste memories in Drosophila

mycolabadmin

Fruit flies can learn to like or dislike tastes based on experience, much like humans do. Scientists used light-activated neurons to create new taste memories in flies, showing that taste preferences are not fixed but can change when paired with rewards or punishments. The study reveals that taste memory formation uses similar brain mechanisms and energy requirements as odor memory, suggesting that both senses depend on experience to shape preferences.

Behavioral dissection of hunger states in Drosophila

mycolabadmin

Scientists studying fruit flies discovered that hunger comes in two types: the need-based hunger when your body needs nutrients, and pleasure-based hunger when you want tasty food. By carefully watching how flies eat under different food conditions and examining their brain activity, researchers identified specific brain structures (the mushroom body) and dopamine neurons that control the desire for delicious food. This finding helps us understand why we eat food we don’t need and could lead to better treatments for obesity and eating disorders.

Research Keyword: dopaminergic neurons

Postsynaptic plasticity of cholinergic synapses underlies the induction and expression of appetitive and familiarity memories in Drosophila

Strain-specific effects of Desulfovibrio on neurodegeneration and oxidative stress in a Caenorhabditis elegans PD model

Optogenetic induction of appetitive and aversive taste memories in Drosophila

Behavioral dissection of hunger states in Drosophila