Drosophila Melanogaster as a Model to Study Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

Mohammad Haddadi

doi:10.15171/ijbsm.2018.02

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex part of the human body, which controls a variety of cellular and molecular activities. Neurobehavioral functions of CNS play a vital role in making appropriate responses to the environmental stimuli. Some kind of such responses can be maintained in neural networks due to neuronal plasticity. When brain ages, or being damaged by means of genetic or environmental factors, memories will disappear gradually. Molecular mechanism of memory formation and disruption are studied during normal and disease conditions, respectively. However, it is far to understand the complete scenario and we need a model organism to undertake specific studies and unravel the mystery of neuronal function. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster possesses many characteristics which enable neuroscientist to model vide range of complex behaviors and find their neural circuit. Even though, many human neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) can be modeled in this insect and provide unique opportunities for effective therapeutic interventions. Here I summarize few points on the contribution of Drosophila melanogaster in neurobiology of learning and memory as well as human NDDs.

Highlights

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, psychologists began to formalize the process of learning and memory in laboratory experiments
Behavioral plasticity, which results in memory formation, is of one of the essential biological processes involved in fitness and survival of an organism
Drosophila melanogaster as a Model for Neurodegenerative Diseases For more than ten decades since William Castle at Harvard University introduced Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, it has been used in laboratories for a wide variety of studies including genetics, cell biology, electrophysiology, and behavioral genetics

Summary

Introduction

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, psychologists began to formalize the process of learning and memory in laboratory experiments. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster possesses many characteristics, which enable neuroscientists to model wide range of complex behaviors and find their neural circuit. Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study human neurodegenerative diseases.

Results

Conclusion