Drosophila melanogaster as a Model to Study Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

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 diseased 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 neuroscientists to model wide 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 summarized few points on the contribution of D. melanogaster in the neurobiology of learning and memory as well as human NDDs.

Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster, Learning, Memory, Neurodegenerative Diseases