An Optogenetics Approach: The Memory Formation in C. Elegans Affected by GABA and ACh

Overview

Optogenetics is a new field of study which uses a combination of techniques from optics and genetics to control and monitor the activities of individual neurons in living tissue. It had been found that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important inhibitory neurotransmitter, can influence the process of memory storage. Acetylcholine (ACh), an excitatory neurotransmitter, which signals to muscle, may enhance memory by increasing the strength of afferent input relative to feedback. Chemotaxis adaptation is used to measure C. elegans’ memory after exposure to an attractant over a period of time. The aim of this study is to investigate how stimulated secretion of the neurotransmitters ACh and GABA would affect chemosensory habituation and chemotaxis behavior. This is assayed by changing the excitation state of the neuron and by habituating C. elegans with the chemical before assessing chemotaxis behaviors. The results show that the combination of blue light stimulation of GABA and previous exposure to the chemical caused the strongest aversive response to the chemical, indicating that GABA neurotransmitter might have a positive effect on memory storage. In addition, ACh neurotransmitter may accelerate the process of recovery of chemotaxis adaptation or interrupt the memories formation process. These results may have implications for the studies of epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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