Analysis of the Effects of Alcohol in an Alzheimer's Model Using Drosophila Melanogaster
Faculty Mentor
Theodore Brummel
Area of Research
Biology
Major
Biology
Description
Alzheimer’s is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease affecting 6.7 million Americans, with about 1 in 9 people over the age of 65 having it. This disease causes severe dementia, leading to memory loss and early death. There are 5 small geographic regions of the world called blue zones, places with the healthiest and longest living communities, as well as uniquely low rates of neurodegenerative disorders. The reasons for these unusual health outcomes are unknown, however, moderate alcohol consumption, most commonly red wine, is observed in four of the five zones. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that moderate red wine consumption accounts for a lower frequency of Alzheimer’s and its effects. In this study the effects of moderate red wine consumption are evaluated using a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) with Alzheimer's-like symptoms. The Alzheimer’s model in the fly is generated by expressing high levels of beta amyloid protein, which produces one of the neurological outcomes observed in Alzheimer’s patients. To test the hypothesis that red wine is specifically beneficial, the fly culture media will be supplemented with either alcohol, red wine, or water, and the effects of these manipulations will be examined by measuring life span and neuromuscular fitness.
Analysis of the Effects of Alcohol in an Alzheimer's Model Using Drosophila Melanogaster
Alzheimer’s is an irreversible neurodegenerative disease affecting 6.7 million Americans, with about 1 in 9 people over the age of 65 having it. This disease causes severe dementia, leading to memory loss and early death. There are 5 small geographic regions of the world called blue zones, places with the healthiest and longest living communities, as well as uniquely low rates of neurodegenerative disorders. The reasons for these unusual health outcomes are unknown, however, moderate alcohol consumption, most commonly red wine, is observed in four of the five zones. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that moderate red wine consumption accounts for a lower frequency of Alzheimer’s and its effects. In this study the effects of moderate red wine consumption are evaluated using a fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) with Alzheimer's-like symptoms. The Alzheimer’s model in the fly is generated by expressing high levels of beta amyloid protein, which produces one of the neurological outcomes observed in Alzheimer’s patients. To test the hypothesis that red wine is specifically beneficial, the fly culture media will be supplemented with either alcohol, red wine, or water, and the effects of these manipulations will be examined by measuring life span and neuromuscular fitness.