Abstract
Remembering features of past feeding experience can refine foraging and food choice. Insects can learn to associate sensory cues with components of food, such as sugars, amino acids, water, salt, alcohol, toxins and pathogens. In the fruit fly Drosophila some food components activate unique subsets of dopaminergic neurons (DANs) that innervate distinct functional zones on the mushroom bodies (MBs). This architecture suggests that the overall dopaminergic neuron population could provide a potential cellular substrate through which the fly might learn to value a variety of food components. In addition, such an arrangement predicts that individual component memories reside in unique locations. DANs are also critical for food memory consolidation and deprivation-state dependent motivational control of the expression of food-relevant memories. Here, we review our current knowledge of how nutrient-specific memories are formed, consolidated and specifically retrieved in insects, with a particular emphasis on Drosophila.
Highlights
All foraging animals have to obtain an optimal balance of nutrients from a variety of available food sources
Work in the fruit fly supports a provocative model that the anatomical segregation of dopaminergic neurons (DANs) might provide a neural substrate across which specific food component memories
In adult Drosophila, learning to associate an odor with drinking water requires the action of DANs that are different to those that are required for reinforcement with nutritious sugar (Lin et al, 2014)
Summary
All foraging animals have to obtain an optimal balance of nutrients from a variety of available food sources. Work in the fruit fly supports a provocative model that the anatomical segregation of dopaminergic neurons (DANs) might provide a neural substrate across which specific food component memories Both the sweet taste and nutrient value of a sugar contribute to memory reinforcement (Burke and Waddell, 2011; Fujita and Tanimura, 2011).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
