Memory scores are dynamic across developmental stages. In particular, memory scores typically decrease from late adolescence into old age, reflecting complex changes in mnemonic and sensory-motor faculties, metabolic and motivational changes, and changes in cognitive strategy as well. In Drosophila melanogaster, such age-related decreases in memory scores have been studied intensely for the association of odours with electric shock punishment. We report that odour-sucrose reward memory scores likewise decrease as the flies age. This was observed after one-trial and after two-trial conditioning, and for both immediate testing and recall tests 1 day later. This decrease was particularly pronounced in relatively young animals, in the first 2-3 weeks after adult hatching, and was more pronounced in female than in male flies.
Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster; Ageing; Learning; Reward; Sex difference.
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