Research Keyword: optogenetics

GluN2B-mediated regulation of silent synapses for receptor specification and addiction memory

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Researchers studied how a specific brain protein called GluN2B affects addiction memories from cocaine use. They found that removing this protein reduced the formation of ‘silent synapses’ – immature brain connections created by cocaine – and weakened drug-related memories. However, this also unexpectedly made mice more active, suggesting that GluN2B normally helps control both addiction memory and activity levels. The findings provide new insights into how addiction memories form and suggest potential ways to treat addiction.

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Optogenetic induction of appetitive and aversive taste memories in Drosophila

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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.

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Taste cues elicit prolonged modulation of feeding behavior in Drosophila

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This study shows that fruit flies can remember tastes they recently experienced and adjust their future feeding behavior based on these memories. After tasting something sweet, flies become more likely to feed in the next few seconds, while tasting something bitter makes them less likely to feed. Interestingly, nerve cells must remain active even after the taste is gone to maintain this memory, suggesting the brain stores taste information in a special way.

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Behavioral dissection of hunger states in Drosophila

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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.

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