Open AccessDopamine-based mechanism for transient forgetting
Author(s) -
John Martin Sabandal,
Jacob A. Berry,
Ronald L. Davis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nature
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 15.993
H-Index - 1226
eISSN - 1476-4687
pISSN - 0028-0836
DOI - 10.1038/s41586-020-03154-y
Subject(s) - forgetting , mushroom bodies , neuroscience , computer science , transient (computer programming) , mechanism (biology) , dopamine , memory formation , neuron , psychology , cognitive psychology , biology , hippocampus , drosophila melanogaster , physics , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , gene , operating system
Active forgetting is an essential component of the memory management system of the brain 1 . Forgetting can be permanent, in which prior memory is lost completely, or transient, in which memory exists in a temporary state of impaired retrieval. Temporary blocks on memory seem to be universal, and can disrupt an individual's plans, social interactions and ability to make rapid, flexible and appropriate choices. However, the neurobiological mechanisms that cause transient forgetting are unknown. Here we identify a single dopamine neuron in Drosophila that mediates the memory suppression that results in transient forgetting. Artificially activating this neuron did not abolish the expression of long-term memory. Instead, it briefly suppressed memory retrieval, with the memory becoming accessible again over time. The dopamine neuron modulates memory retrieval by stimulating a unique dopamine receptor that is expressed in a restricted physical compartment of the axons of mushroom body neurons. This mechanism for transient forgetting is triggered by the presentation of interfering stimuli immediately before retrieval.