This finding upends a long-held idea that organisms can’t engage in associative learning without a central nervous system, according to a study published Friday in the journal Current Biology.

To control our behavior, the brain must be able to form associations. This involves, for example, associating a neutral external stimulus with a consequence following the stimulus (e.g., the ...

Obesity leads to altered energy metabolism and reduced insulin sensitivity of cells. The so-called "anti-obesity drugs" are increasingly used to treat obesity and have caused tremendous interest, ...

Associative learning is conditioning brain to respond to external stimuli or environment. For example, relating hot stove to pain, to avoid hurt.

The research team identified the actions of the neurotransmitters octopamine and dopamine as a key neural mechanism for associative learning in fruit flies.

Anti-obesity drug improves associative learning in people with obesity Liraglutide benefits brain activity in people with obesity Date: August 20, 2023 Source: Max Planck Institute for Biology of ...

The ability to make the connection between an event and its consequences—experts use the term associative learning—is a crucial skill for adapting to the environment. It has a huge impact on ...