Studies Shed Light on Cross-modal Memory Facilitation of Fruit Files

摘要

As a result of their three-year studies in Drosophilae (fruit flies), CAS scientists reveal that the memory and learning in the insect could be enhanced by stimuli combining olfactory (or smell) and visual signals. In its evolutionary history, an organism could develop various sensory modalities (or channels) in the form of sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch and pain. These modalities serve as interfaces or pathways for the brain to exchange data with the outside world. In the merciless competition characterized by survival of the fittest, the multi-channel perception could be critical for the survival of a species, because different modalities of sensation may interact in a synergistic manner and help the organism make a reliable choice and rapid response. However, in what way does the brain integrate information from multi-channel perception during memory acquisition? Whether there is also interaction during the process? These questions are largely unsolved to scientists.