Examination of the Effect of Vitamin B in a Drosophila melanogaster Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Faculty Mentor
Theodore Brummel
Area of Research
Genetics
Major
Biology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the loss of neurons in the basal ganglia.
METHOD: The Parkinson’s model will be generated by crossing flies that express GAL4 in the nervous system to flies in which the activity level of the parkin gene is negatively regulated by GAL4 (ElaV-GAL4 x UAS Parkin RNAi-1). This is a validated system for modeling PD. The effects of vitamin B on Parkinson's will be evaluated through a targeted B vitamin cocktail and B12 supplementation with antibiotics in both Parkinson’s and wild-type flies, while examining the reproduction rate and mass of the flies.
RESULTS: These patients exhibit lower levels of vitamin B12 compared to healthy patients. Additionally, a higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 is associated with a decreased risk of developing PD. B12 deficiency causes high homocysteine levels, which worsen dopaminergic degeneration through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Gut microbiome plays a significant role in B vitamin supply, and these findings support further investigation into combined supplementation approaches.
Examination of the Effect of Vitamin B in a Drosophila melanogaster Model of Parkinson’s Disease
INTRODUCTION: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the loss of neurons in the basal ganglia.
METHOD: The Parkinson’s model will be generated by crossing flies that express GAL4 in the nervous system to flies in which the activity level of the parkin gene is negatively regulated by GAL4 (ElaV-GAL4 x UAS Parkin RNAi-1). This is a validated system for modeling PD. The effects of vitamin B on Parkinson's will be evaluated through a targeted B vitamin cocktail and B12 supplementation with antibiotics in both Parkinson’s and wild-type flies, while examining the reproduction rate and mass of the flies.
RESULTS: These patients exhibit lower levels of vitamin B12 compared to healthy patients. Additionally, a higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 is associated with a decreased risk of developing PD. B12 deficiency causes high homocysteine levels, which worsen dopaminergic degeneration through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Gut microbiome plays a significant role in B vitamin supply, and these findings support further investigation into combined supplementation approaches.