Structural plasticity of synaptic circuits in the honeybee brain mushroom bodies associated with behavioral learning
Final Report Abstract
In mammals, memory formation and stabilization requires polymerization of actin. Here we show that in the honeybee, inhibition of actin polymerization within the brain centers involved in memory formation, the mushroom bodies (MBs), enhances associative olfactory memory. Local application of inhibitors of actin polymerization (Cytochalasin D or Latrunculin A) to the MBs one hour before induction of long-term memory (LTM) increased memory retention 20 min, 2- and 24 hrs after the onset of training. Post-training application of Cytochalasin D also enhanced retention indicating that memory consolidation is facilitated by actin depolymerization. We conclude that certain aspects of memory mechanisms could have been established independently in mammals and insects.
