D1 receptor activation in the mushroom bodies rescues sleep-loss-induced learning impairments in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extended wakefulness disrupts acquisition of short-term memories in mammals. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms triggered by extended waking and restored by sleep are unknown. Moreover, the neuronal circuits that depend on sleep for optimal learning remain unidentified.

Results

Learning was evaluated with aversive phototaxic suppression. In this task, flies learn to avoid light that is paired with an aversive stimulus (quinine-humidity). We demonstrate extensive homology in sleep-deprivation-induced learning impairment between flies and humans. Both 6 hr and 12 hr of sleep deprivation are sufficient to impair learning in Canton-S (Cs) flies. Moreover, learning is impaired at the end of the normal waking day in direct correlation with time spent awake. Me

SUBMITTER: Seugnet L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2603029 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature