Memory-like states created by the first ethanol experience are encoded into the Drosophila mushroom body learning and memory circuitry in an ethanol-specific manner
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: A first ethanol exposure creates three memory-like states in Drosophila. Ethanol memory-like states appear genetically and behaviorally paralleled to the canonical learning and memory traces anesthesia-sensitive, anesthesia-resistant, and long-term memory ASM, ARM, and LTM. It is unknown if these ethanol memory-like states are also encoded by the canonical learning and memory circuitry that is centered on the mushroom bodies. We show that the three ethanol memory-like states, anesthesia-sensitive tolerance (AST) and anesthesia resistant tolerance (ART) created by ethanol sedation to a moderately high ethanol exposure, and chronic tolerance created by a longer low concentration ethanol exposure, each engage the mushroom body circuitry differently. Moreover, critical encoding steps for ethanol memory-like states reside outside the mushroom body circuitry, and within the mushroom body circuitry they are markedly distinct from classical memory traces. Thus, the first ethanol exposure creates distinct memory-like states in ethanol-specific circuits and impacts the function of learning and memory circuitry in ways that might influence the formation and retention of other memories.
Source: PLoS Genetics
Authors: Caleb Larnerd, Maria Nolazco, Ashley Valdez, Vanessa Sanchez, Fred W. Wolf
Institution: University of California, Merced
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,043
OpenAlex ID: W4407089074