Basic reversal-learning capacity in flies suggests rudiments of complex cognition

The most basic models of learning are reinforcement learning models (for instance, classical and operant conditioning) that posit a constant learning rate; however many animals change their learning rates with experience. This process is sometimes studied by reversing an existing association between cues and rewards, and measuring the rate of relearning. Augmented reversal-learning, where learning rates increase with practice, can be an important component of behavioral flexibility; and may provide insight into higher cognition. Previous studies of reversal-learning in Drosophila have not measured learning rates, but have tended to focus on measuring gross deficits in reversal-learning, as the ratio of two timepoints. These studies have uncovered a diversity of mechanisms underlying reversal-learning, but natural genetic variation in this trait has yet to be assessed. We conducted a reversal-learning regime on a diverse panel of Drosophila melanogaster genotypes. We found highly signifi...最基础的学习模型为设定固定学习率的强化学习模型（reinforcement learning models），例如经典条件反射与操作性条件反射；然而诸多动物会随自身经验调整学习速率。该研究过程常通过反转线索与奖赏间已存在的联结，并测量再学习速率来开展。随练习提升学习率的增强型反转学习（Augmented reversal-learning）可作为行为灵活性的重要构成要素，亦可为高级认知研究提供科学洞见。过往针对果蝇（Drosophila）反转学习的相关研究并未对学习速率进行量化测量，而是多以两个时间点的比值为指标，聚焦于反转学习的整体缺陷评估。此类研究已揭示反转学习背后的多样调控机制，但该性状的自然遗传变异尚未得到系统性评估。我们针对一组涵盖多种基因型的黑腹果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）群体开展了反转学习实验范式研究，结果发现了极具统计学显著性的……