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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Mar 20

Thanks, Wolf.

mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Mar 20

4/ We would like to thank our editor Rita Gemayel and the reviewers for a very efficient and pleasant review process.

mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Mar 20

3/ Excitation of highly active glomeruli results in odor decorrelation. Indeed, knockdown of mAChR-B increases correlation between odors representation in the brain and decreases flies’ odor discrimination capabilities.

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Mar 20

2/ We uncover a novel mechanism for signal decorrelation which is based on intraglomerular excitation and works in synergism with lateral interglomerular inhibition. This intraglomerular excitation is mediated by mAChR-B and it only occurs at high neuronal activity.

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Mar 20

1/ Check out our Juila Manoim, Tal Camchy, @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social, Hadas Lerner, Hao-Hsin Chang, Ran Darshan, and Ya-Hui Chou new study in @currentbiology.bsky.social. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Nonlinear high-activity neuronal excitation enhances odor discrimination

Discrimination between different signals is crucial for animals’ survival. Inhibition that suppresses weak neural activity is crucial for pattern deco…

www.sciencedirect.com

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

Thank you Simon!

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

Thank you Silke, much appreciated.

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Reposted

Katrin Vogt @katrinvogt.bsky.social · Dec 7

This exciting new paper about the neural mechanisms underlying classical and operant learning in flies 🪰 is finally out - it matters which paradigm you use to test your animals!

Carolina Rezaval @crezaval.bsky.social · Dec 6

New from Shiko Parnas' lab: Classical & operant learning in *Drosophila* rely on distinct neuronal pathways, challenging current paradigms! Unstoppable

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Neuronal circuit mechanisms of competitive interaction between action-based and coincidence learning

Parallel and interfering neuronal circuits are responsible for operant and classical learning.

www.science.org

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

Thank you, Carolina!

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Reposted

Carolina Rezaval @crezaval.bsky.social · Dec 6

New from Shiko Parnas' lab: Classical & operant learning in *Drosophila* rely on distinct neuronal pathways, challenging current paradigms! Unstoppable

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Neuronal circuit mechanisms of competitive interaction between action-based and coincidence learning

Parallel and interfering neuronal circuits are responsible for operant and classical learning.

www.science.org

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Reposted

Carolina Rezaval @crezaval.bsky.social · Nov 15

Sex or survival—what’s more important? Excited to share our
@Nature paper on how flies resolve this conflict.

We found a dopamine-based filter that reduces threat perception, helping flies focus on courtship when close to mating.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Mating proximity blinds threat perception - Nature

A state-dependent dopamine filter system in the male Drosophila brain balances threat perception against the drive to mate.

www.nature.com

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

7/ 🌐 The Big Picture: Our findings challenge the long-held belief that these memories just stack up together. Instead, there’s a tug-of-war, and your brain actively picks sides. This discovery could change how we study learning, from flies to humans.

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

6/ 🔍 Why Should We Care?: This isn’t just about flies—it’s a peek into how our own brains might handle competing memories. Imagine the implications for understanding decision-making, multitasking, or even mental health! 🤯

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

5/ 🧠 Neural Circuit Plot Twist: We found that operant learning taps into the brain’s navigation center (CX). The CX actively blocks classical learning, allowing operant memory to form without interference. It’s like having a bouncer neuron guarding the dance floor of your memories! 💃🧠

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

4/ 🏃‍♂️ The Behavior Shift: Here’s where it gets wild: After classical learning, flies freeze when they smell the conditioned odor. But after operant learning, they actively avoid it! This active vs. passive response hints at different cognitive processes, even for the same stimulus.

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

3/ 🧩 Surprise! They Clash: Turns out, the two types of memories compete. When flies try to form both at once, they end up learning… nothing. It’s like trying to follow two GPS directions at the same time. One system has to take charge, or it all falls apart.

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

2/ 💥 Classical vs. Operant Conditioning: Classical (Pavlovian) learning is when you passively associate a cue with an outcome (think Pavlov’s dogs 🐶🔔). Operant learning is active—you have to make a choice to change the outcome. But what happens when both collide? 🧐

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Reposted

Eyal Rozenfeld @eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social · Dec 8

1/ 🧠 Ever wondered how different types of learning coexist in our brains? Spoiler: Sometimes, they don’t! Our new study flips the script on what we thought about memory and learning in Drosophila. Dive in for a surprising twist! 🧵👇
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

6/ Implications for Cognitive Science: Our findings challenge the hierarchical model of learning. Instead of additive memory formation, active processes separate these memories, allowing distinct behavioral strategies.

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

5/ Neuronal Circuit Insights: Operant learning requires the fly's navigation center (CX). CX activity gates plasticity, allowing operant learning while preventing interference from classical learning pathways. This active gating mechanism is key to resolving conflicting memories.

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

4/ Behavioral Differences: Flies show distinct behaviors after different types of conditioning. While classical learning leads to freezing, operant learning prompts active avoidance. This mirrors findings in mammalian studies suggesting shared cognitive principles across species.

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

3/ 🧑‍🔬 Surprising Discovery: Contrary to the dogma, we show that operant and classical learning cannot happen at the same time. If both forms of plasticity occur simultaneously, they interfere, leading to no effective learning. 🤯

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

2/ Classical vs. Operant Learning: Classical conditioning is passive, where an association is formed between a cue and an outcome. Operant conditioning is active, requiring the animal's action to influence the outcome. These different strategies involve separate brain circuits.

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mosheparnas.bsky.social @mosheparnas.bsky.social · Dec 8

1/ How do animals integrate different forms of learning? Our
@eyalrozenfeld.bsky.social new study in Science Advances
shows that active mechanisms prevent the co-formation of competing memories. Here’s what we found! 🧵👇
science.org/doi/10.1126/...

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