Stable and unstable phase of memory in classically conditioned fly, Phormia regina: Effects of nitrogen gas anaesthesia and cycloheximide injection

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(83)90034-3Get rights and content

Abstract

This study examined the effects of nitrogen anaesthesia and cycloheximide injection on memory of the classically-conditioned fly, Phormia. 1 M NaCl solution was given to each fly as a conditioning stimulus and 0.5 M sucrose solution was the unconditioned stimulus that induced the proboscis extension response. The training period was as short as 2 min and testing was usually carried out 2 hr later. At varying times (0–60 min) between training and testing, flies were anaesthetized with nitrogen gas for 25 sec. When flies were anaesthetized immediately after training the effect of nitrogen gas was the greatest and few flies showed any conditioned response, but the sensitivity of memory to nitrogen gas declined as the interval between training and nitrogen treatment became longer, and such treatment had no effect on memory when the interval was longer than 30 min. The effect on memory of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of peptide bond synthesis, was also investigated. The injection of cycloheximide (0.37 μg) immediately after training diminished the memory, but when given 1 hr after training it had no effect on memory. These results show that the memory in Phormia has two phases, stable and an unstable phase, like long-term and short-term memory in vertebrates.

References (24)

  • V.G. Dethier

    Insects and the concept of motivation

  • J.B. Flexner et al.

    Restoration of expression of memory lost after treatment with puromycin

  • Cited by (12)

    • Effects of cycloheximide on the mortality of Atta sexdens leaf-cutting worker ants

      2018, Revista Brasileira de Entomologia
      Citation Excerpt :

      This molecule is known to be an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces griseus (Obrig et al., 1971; Schneider-Poetsch et al., 2010); however, it has broad application in pioneering research. In insects, this molecule has been used in studies involving long term memory formation, resistant genotypes, morphological alteration, alteration in protein levels and destruction of neurons (Akahane and Amakawa, 1983; Flyg et al., 1980; Fahrbach et al., 1994; Oberlander et al., 1981; Soltani-Mazouni and Soltani, 1995; Nouri and Fallon, 1987). On the other hand, Marcos et al. (1982) reported a toxic effect on D. melanogaster eggs, larvae and adults, causing pronounced mortality in the individuals, an effect clearly expected since this substance is highly toxic to many animals (Bennett et al., 1972).

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Present address: Behavioral Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita 565, Japan.

    View full text