Habituaiton is a form of non associative memory in which there is decrement in response to a continuous stimulus. Previous studies in the lab in olfactory and gustatory in Drosophila melanogaster have shown that the underlying mechanism of habituation is potentiation of inhibitory synapse. It has also been shown that rutabaga, a Ca2+ dependent adenylate cyclase, is required in GABAergic neurons to mediate habituation. However the upstream ligand and GPCR receptor in rutabaga signalling pathway are not known. We know that neuromodulators and neuropeptides act through GPCR signalling. The objective of my study is to identify the neuromodulator(s) that could be regulating habituation and its receptor. I am also aiming to identify the target neurons in which the receptors would be required.

It has been observed that flies do not habituate to bitter compounds like quinine when stimulated continuously. It could be because quinine is toxic and flies have developed a mechanism to avoid harmful chemicals even if they are present persistently. I am looking at whether neuromodulators mediate this behviour or it is the circuit property of bitter taste.

To carry out my study, I use behavioural assay called proboscis extension reflex, which gives me a read out of habituation in gustatory system.