Friday, December 8, 2017

"Proboscus extension response" developed in fly study relevant to Parkinsons disease

Cording AC, Shiaelis N, Petridi S, Middleton CA, Wilson LG, Elliott CJH. Targeted kinase inhibition relieves slowness and tremor in a Drosophila model of LRRK2 Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2017 Dec 4;3:34. PMID: 29214211; PMCID: PMC5715132.

From the abstract: "In a number of Drosophila models of genetic Parkinson's disease (PD) flies climb more slowly than wild-type controls. However, this assay does not distinguish effects of PD-related genes on gravity sensation, "arousal", central pattern generation of leg movements, or muscle. To address this problem, we have developed an assay for the fly proboscis extension response (PER). This is attractive because the PER has a simple, well-identified reflex neural circuit ... We conclude the Drosophila PER provides an excellent model of LRRK2 motor deficits showing bradykinesia, akinesia, hypokinesia, and increased tremor, with the possibility to localize changes in neural signaling."

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