Insights from intoxicated Drosophila

Abstract

Our understanding of alcohol use disorder (AUD), particularly alcohol's effects on the nervous system, has unquestionably benefited from the use of model systems such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we briefly introduce the use of flies in alcohol research, and highlight the genetic accessibility and neurobiological contribution that flies have made to our understanding of AUD. Future fly research offers unique opportunities for addressing unresolved questions in the alcohol field, such as the neuromolecular and circuit basis for cravings and alcohol-induced neuroimmune dysfunction. This review strongly advocates for interdisciplinary approaches and translational collaborations with the united goal of confronting the major health problems associated with alcohol abuse and addiction.

Keywords: Addiction; Alcohol; Behavior; Brain; Circuits; Drosophila; Genetics; Model organism; Neuroimmune.

Figure 1. Alcohol research in flies complements our understanding of human Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

The fly’s small and refined genome provides integration and translational perspective for big data (“omics”). Precise neuroanatomical manipulation in flies provides insight into the basic principles underlying modulation of complex, yet tractable, reward circuitry. The fly’s powerful genetic tools and highly conserved innate immune signaling system sheds light on complex neuron-glia interactions associated with AUD.