The sensation of "pain" is an important sensation not only in mammals but also in most living things such as fish and insects.When the creature feels pain, it takes actions to avoid danger.However, it was not known how the neural circuit that converts pain perception into escape behavior was implemented.

　This time, the research group tried an experiment using Drosophila larvae.When Drosophila larvae feel strong pain, they rotate sideways at high speed and try to escape from dangerous objects.Recently, the pain nerves and receptors of Drosophila larvae have been identified and found to use the same mechanisms as humans.

　This time, first, when the nerve cells in the skin send information to the brain, I found a nerve cell (secondary nerve cell) that directly transmits the pain signal that I have.Next, it was found that this nerve is very important for rotational movement, which causes rotational movement when activated and does not occur when suppressed.They showed that secondary neurons further transmit and activate pain signals to specific muscles.

　This study elucidated the neural circuits of rotational movements caused by pain, from the sensory nerves at the entrance to the muscles at the exit.Further elucidation of this mechanism is expected in the future.

Paper information:[Current Biology] Neural circuitry that evokes escape behavior upon activation of nociceptive sensory neurons in Drosophila larvae