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Behavioural Pharmacology in Classical Conditioning of the Proboscis Extension Response in Honeybees Apis mellifera
Published on: January 24, 2011
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Differences in long-term memory stability and AmCREB level between forward and backward conditioned honeybees (Apis
Johannes Felsenberg1, Yan Dyck1, Janina Feige1
1FB Biologie, Pharmazie, Chemie, Institut für Biologie, Neurobiologie, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin, Germany.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|May 13, 2015
Summary
Honeybees form a 72-hour memory after forward conditioning but not backward conditioning. This difference in long-term memory formation is linked to stimulus order and CREB protein levels.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Learning and Memory
Background:
- Classical conditioning involves learning predictive relationships between stimuli.
- Backward conditioning, where the conditioned stimulus follows the unconditioned stimulus, presents unique learning scenarios.
- Investigating long-term memory consolidation in honeybees after different conditioning protocols is crucial for understanding memory persistence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of late long-term memory (72 hours) in honeybees following forward and backward classical conditioning.
- To compare the stability of memory formed by forward versus backward conditioning.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms, including transcription and protein degradation, underlying differential memory consolidation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the proboscis extension response (PER) in honeybees for forward and backward conditioning paradigms.
- Assessed memory retrieval at 72 hours post-conditioning.
- Analyzed the involvement of transcription-dependent processes and protein degradation.
- Measured levels of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) as a marker for long-term memory formation.
Main Results:
- A transcription-dependent memory was observed 72 hours after forward conditioning, but not after backward conditioning.
- Protein degradation pathways were found to be differentially involved in memory formation between the two protocols.
- Differences in CREB protein levels were detected following forward and backward conditioning, potentially regulated by the proteasome.
Conclusions:
- The sequence of stimulus presentation in classical conditioning significantly impacts the stability and persistence of long-term memory.
- Backward conditioning in honeybees does not appear to support the formation of a 72-hour memory, unlike forward conditioning.
- Differential regulation of CREB levels, possibly via proteasomal activity, underlies the observed differences in memory consolidation between forward and backward conditioning.
