Drosophila Courtship Conditioning As a Measure of Learning and MemoryTom S. Koemans 1,2,3, Cornelia Oppitz 4, Rogier A. T. Donders 5, Hans van Bokhoven 1,3, Annette Schenck 1,3, Krystyna Keleman 6, Jamie M. Kramer 7,8
1Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 2Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 3Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University, 4Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna, Austria, 5Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, 6Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 7Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 8Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University
This protocol describes a Drosophila learning and memory assay called courtship conditioning. This classic assay is based on a reduction of male courtship behavior after sexual rejection by a non-receptive premated female. This natural form of behavioral plasticity can be used to test learning, short-term memory, and long-term memory.