Nino Mancini

Hunger reconfigures a reward learning circuit into a memory competent mode

This paper shows how hunger reconfigures a reward circuit in Drosophila to support memory formation by switching dopamine neuron activity modes.

Central versus peripheral neural control of a coordinated walking pattern in Drosophila.

This study identifies central and peripheral neural pathways governing coordinated walking in Drosophila using sensory-deprivation experiments and connectome analysis.

Avoidance engages dopaminergic punishment in Drosophila

The paper shows that inducing backward movement in Drosophila engages dopaminergic punishment and supports aversive memories, explaining the avoidance paradox.

Neural circuit mechanisms underlying context-specific halting in Drosophila.

This study identifies two distinct neural mechanisms for context-specific halting in Drosophila during feeding and grooming behaviors.

Rewarding capacity of optogenetically activating a giant GABAergic central-brain interneuron in larval Drosophila

The paper investigates the role of the APL neuron in larval Drosophila, finding that optogenetic activation can induce a rewarding effect through dopaminergic pathways.

Associative learning in larval and adult Drosophila is impaired by the dopamine-synthesis inhibitor 3-Iodo-L-tyrosine

This study shows that 3-Iodo-L-tyrosine impairs associative learning in Drosophila larvae and adults, which can be rescued by L-DOPA.