Fly brain circuit uses inhibition to switch between tracking and memory
Researchers have identified a specific mechanism in the fruit fly brain that allows it to rapidly switch between tracking real-time sensory input and storing that information as a stable memory. By analyzing the central complex, scientists found that inhibitory signals act as a gate, decoupling two interconnected neuron populations to either follow a heading compass or lock in a navigational goal. This 'split attractor' design solves the trade-off between stability and flexibility in working memory, allowing the brain to update its internal map quickly without losing the current objective. While this study focuses on invertebrate navigation, it provides a biological blueprint for how recurrent networks manage dynamic information, offering insights applicable to broader cognitive functions and artificial intelligence models.