Dopaminergic synapses mediate neuronal changes in an analogue of operant conditioning
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Updated: Oct 23, 2026

In Vivo Optical Calcium Imaging of Learning-Induced Synaptic Plasticity in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: October 8, 2019
R Nargeot1, D A Baxter, G W Patterson
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy and W.M. Keck Center for Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, The University of Texas-Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Feeding behavior in Aplysia can be modified by operant conditioning in which contingent reinforcement is conveyed by the esophageal nerve (E n.). A neuronal analogue of this conditioning in the isolated buccal ganglia was developed by using stimulation of E n. as an analogue of contingent reinforcement. Previous studies indicated that E n. may release dopamine. We used a dopamine antagonist (methylergonovine) to investigate whether dopamine mediated the enhancement of motor patterns in the analogue of operant conditioning. Methylergonovine blocked synaptic connections from the reinforcement pathway and the contingent-dependent enhancement of the reinforced pattern. These results suggest that dopamine mediates at least part of the neuronal modifications induced by contingent reinforcement.
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