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A Simple Way to Measure Alterations in Reward-seeking Behavior Using Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: December 15, 2016
A Drosophila model for alcohol reward
Karla R Kaun1, Reza Azanchi, Zaw Maung
1Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. karla.kaun@ucsf.edu
Nature Neuroscience
|April 19, 2011
Summary
Fruit flies show that ethanol intoxication creates lasting rewarding memories, involving specific brain circuits and the scabrous gene. This research aids understanding of drug abuse mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug abuse and addiction are linked to the rewarding effects of substances.
- Understanding the neural and genetic basis of reward is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel assay for studying ethanol's motivational properties in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To investigate the neural circuits and genetic factors underlying ethanol reward memory formation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
- Developed an assay to assess conditioned preference for ethanol-associated cues.
- Employed temporal blocking of dopaminergic neurons.
- Investigated neuronal ensembles in the mushroom body.
- Examined the role of the scabrous gene (a Notch signaling regulator) through mutations.
Main Results:
- Flies developed a long-lasting attraction to ethanol-paired cues, indicating rewarding intoxication.
- Dopaminergic neuron activation is necessary for expressing, but not developing, ethanol reward memory.
- Distinct neuronal sets in the mushroom body mediate acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval of ethanol reward memories.
- Mutations in scabrous disrupted the formation of ethanol reward memories.
Conclusions:
- Drosophila melanogaster serves as a valuable model for dissecting the mechanisms of ethanol reward.
- Identified key roles for dopaminergic neurons, mushroom body circuits, and the scabrous gene in ethanol reward memory.
