Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee
Mushroom bodies (MBs) are multisensory integration centers in the insect brain involved in learning and memory formation. In the honeybee, the main sensory input region (calyx) of MBs is comparatively large and receives input from mainly olfactory and visual senses, but also from gustatory/tactile m...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-01-01
|
| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/1/43 |
| _version_ | 1818435369707765760 |
|---|---|
| author | Claudia Groh Wolfgang Rössler |
| author_facet | Claudia Groh Wolfgang Rössler |
| author_sort | Claudia Groh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mushroom bodies (MBs) are multisensory integration centers in the insect brain involved in learning and memory formation. In the honeybee, the main sensory input region (calyx) of MBs is comparatively large and receives input from mainly olfactory and visual senses, but also from gustatory/tactile modalities. Behavioral plasticity following differential brood care, changes in sensory exposure or the formation of associative long-term memory (LTM) was shown to be associated with structural plasticity in synaptic microcircuits (microglomeruli) within olfactory and visual compartments of the MB calyx. In the same line, physiological studies have demonstrated that MB-calyx microcircuits change response properties after associative learning. The aim of this review is to provide an update and synthesis of recent research on the plasticity of microcircuits in the MB calyx of the honeybee, specifically looking at the synaptic connectivity between sensory projection neurons (PNs) and MB intrinsic neurons (Kenyon cells). We focus on the honeybee as a favorable experimental insect for studying neuronal mechanisms underlying complex social behavior, but also compare it with other insect species for certain aspects. This review concludes by highlighting open questions and promising routes for future research aimed at understanding the causal relationships between neuronal and behavioral plasticity in this charismatic social insect. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:51:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-942d7f276bb845e9b4c5afa1fc828d76 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:51:48Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-942d7f276bb845e9b4c5afa1fc828d762022-12-21T22:54:03ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-01-011114310.3390/insects11010043insects11010043Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the HoneybeeClaudia Groh0Wolfgang Rössler1Behavioral Physiology & Sociobiology, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, GermanyBehavioral Physiology & Sociobiology, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, GermanyMushroom bodies (MBs) are multisensory integration centers in the insect brain involved in learning and memory formation. In the honeybee, the main sensory input region (calyx) of MBs is comparatively large and receives input from mainly olfactory and visual senses, but also from gustatory/tactile modalities. Behavioral plasticity following differential brood care, changes in sensory exposure or the formation of associative long-term memory (LTM) was shown to be associated with structural plasticity in synaptic microcircuits (microglomeruli) within olfactory and visual compartments of the MB calyx. In the same line, physiological studies have demonstrated that MB-calyx microcircuits change response properties after associative learning. The aim of this review is to provide an update and synthesis of recent research on the plasticity of microcircuits in the MB calyx of the honeybee, specifically looking at the synaptic connectivity between sensory projection neurons (PNs) and MB intrinsic neurons (Kenyon cells). We focus on the honeybee as a favorable experimental insect for studying neuronal mechanisms underlying complex social behavior, but also compare it with other insect species for certain aspects. This review concludes by highlighting open questions and promising routes for future research aimed at understanding the causal relationships between neuronal and behavioral plasticity in this charismatic social insect.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/1/43mushroom bodymicroglomeruliprojection neuronskenyon cellsdendritic specializationsstructural synaptic plasticitybehavioral plasticityvisionolfaction |
| spellingShingle | Claudia Groh Wolfgang Rössler Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee Insects mushroom body microglomeruli projection neurons kenyon cells dendritic specializations structural synaptic plasticity behavioral plasticity vision olfaction |
| title | Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee |
| title_full | Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee |
| title_short | Analysis of Synaptic Microcircuits in the Mushroom Bodies of the Honeybee |
| title_sort | analysis of synaptic microcircuits in the mushroom bodies of the honeybee |
| topic | mushroom body microglomeruli projection neurons kenyon cells dendritic specializations structural synaptic plasticity behavioral plasticity vision olfaction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/1/43 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT claudiagroh analysisofsynapticmicrocircuitsinthemushroombodiesofthehoneybee AT wolfgangrossler analysisofsynapticmicrocircuitsinthemushroombodiesofthehoneybee |