Decision-making is considered an important aspect of cognitive function. Impaired decision-making is a consequence of cognitive decline caused by various physiological conditions, such as aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Here we exploited the value-based feeding decision (VBFD) assay, which is a simple sensory–motor task, to determine the cognitive status of Drosophila. Our results indicated the deterioration of VBFD is notably correlated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Restriction of the mushroom body (MB) neuronal activity partly blunted the proper VBFD. Furthermore, using the Drosophila polyQ disease model, we demonstrated the impaired VBFD is ameliorated by the dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC-1), a novel and steady nitric oxide (NO)-releasing compound. Therefore we propose that the VBFD assay provides a robust assessment of Drosophila cognition and can be used to characterize additional neuroprotective interventions.

决策被认为是认知功能的一个重要方面。决策受损是各种生理状况（例如衰老和神经退行性疾病）引起的认知能力下降的结果。在这里，我们利用基于价值的喂养决定 (VBFD) 分析，这是一项简单的感觉-运动任务，以确定果蝇的认知状态。我们的结果表明 VBFD 的恶化与衰老和神经退行性疾病显着相关。蘑菇体 (MB) 神经元活动的限制部分削弱了正确的 VBFD。此外，使用果蝇在 polyQ 疾病模型中，我们证明二亚硝基铁络合物 (DNIC-1) 是一种新型且稳定的一氧化氮 (NO) 释放化合物，可改善受损的 VBFD。因此，我们建议 VBFD 测定提供对果蝇认知的可靠评估，并可用于表征其他神经保护干预措施。