Unlocking the Science: How Flies Convert Memories into Upwind Food Hunts with Magic

New Research Reveals How Fruit Flies Follow Their Memories to Find Food

In a groundbreaking study conducted by Janelia scientists in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the intricate workings of the fruit fly brain were unveiled as it transformed memories of past rewards into actions, aiding the fly in its quest for sustenance.

Much like their insect counterparts, fruit flies possess a remarkable ability to navigate towards the source of appealing odors by going upwind. This finely tuned olfactory system detects the scents carried by the wind, directing the fly toward the coveted reward.

At the heart of this remarkable phenomenon lies a specific region of the fly brain known as the mushroom body. Here, olfactory information is processed and integrated. Multiple compartments within the mushroom body work in unison to assign positive or negative values to various odor stimuli. However, the crucial link between these sensory evaluations and actual motor actions remained shrouded in mystery.

This new research divulges that reward memories, formed within different compartments of the mushroom body, trigger distinct behaviors in the fruit fly. Only certain memories propel the fly to embark on an upwind journey. The study spotlights a cluster of neurons aptly named "Upwind Neurons" or "UpWiNs." These neurons expertly amalgamate inhibitory and excitatory inputs from the mushroom body's various compartments, compelling the fly to make those crucial turns into the wind, leading it closer to its goal.

These findings offer a deeper understanding of how acquired positive and negative values are gradually translated into tangible, memory-driven actions. Notably, the UpWiNs also dispatch excitatory signals to dopaminergic neurons, enhancing higher-order learning capabilities.

This groundbreaking discovery sheds light on the intricate interplay between parallel dopaminergic neurons and memory subsystems. It provides invaluable insights into the guidance of memory-based actions and learning, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of individual neural circuits.

In essence, this research unravels the remarkable journey of fruit flies as they transform memories into a quest for sustenance, providing a glimpse into the fascinating world of neurobiology and behavior.

Source: HHMI Author: Nanci Bompey Image: Neuroscience News Original Research: "Neural circuit mechanisms for transforming learned olfactory valences into wind-oriented movement" by Yoshinori Aso et al. in eLife.