Work

Neuronal synchronization in Drosophila

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: neurons that underlie circadian and sleep behaviors. However, it is still unclear whether and how these participate in a collective rhythm. We perform whole-cell patch clamp recordings and demonstrate that membrane potential oscillations disappear after blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Perturbations to membrane potential do not change the phase of oscillation, further suggesting they depend on external inputs. We propose a theoretical description that accounts for experimental observations and predicts phase-locked neuronal synchronization. Simultaneous electrophysiological recordings of neuronal pairs confirm this prediction and show that this is a widespread phenomenon in accessory medulla neurons. Our findings suggest the possibility that brain waves may arise from collective neuronal activity within this region of the fly brain.

Source: iScience

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112942

Authors: Florencia Fernandez-Chiappe, Marcos Wappner, Luis G. Morelli, Nara I. Muraro

Institutions: Max Planck Society, Biomedicine Research Institute of Buenos Aires - CONICET - Partner Institute of the Max Planck Society

Language: English

Topic: Neural dynamics and brain function

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240