The Secrets of memory of the fly

2004/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Biokimika

The drosophila fly has four levels of memory, of which it only fixes two in the brain. Now, the researchers have clarified the relationship between the two and have managed to see if a memory causes a change in connections between neurons.

Scientists have investigated the fly memory system using odors and electric shocks. They are discharged whenever they offer them a certain smell, so that the fly relates them. With this experiment, they have confirmed that the connections between neurons are modified by fluorescent marks.

In addition, some features of the performance of memory levels have been clarified. Memories in the short and medium term do not look at the brain of the fly, but help pass to a third level to look at it. At this level it is called memory resistant to anesthesia.

Finally, when something learned is fixed in long-term memory, it is removed from the level resistant to anesthesia. It does not remain at once on both levels. According to scientists, this means that the two types of memory are not located in the two areas of the brain.