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Investigating Alcohol Behavior and Physiology Using Drosophila melanogaster

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Clinical and Preclinical Models for Maximizing Healthspan

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2138))

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly, is one of the most versatile models for biomedical studies due to the economical husbandry, rapid generation time, and the array of tools for spatial and temporal gene manipulation. The relatively short lifespan of Drosophila (60–80 days) and the high degree of molecular conservation across species make Drosophila ideal to study the complexities of aging. Alcohol is the most abused drug worldwide and alcohol use disorders represent a significant public health problem and economic burden to individuals and society. Stereotypical alcohol-induced behaviors and the underlying molecular mechanisms are conserved from flies to humans making Drosophila a practical model for investigating the development of alcohol-induced behaviors and alcohol pathologies. Here, we outline how to assemble an efficient and controlled alcohol vapor delivery system, the FlyBar, and review paradigms and protocols for the assessment of alcohol-induced behaviors and physiology in Drosophila including the loss-of-righting reflex, sedation, tolerance, alcohol metabolism, and gut permeability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Aliza K. De Nobrega, Kristine V. Luz, Katherine N. Lyons & Lisa C. Lyons

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  1. Aliza K. De Nobrega
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  2. Kristine V. Luz
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  3. Katherine N. Lyons
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  4. Lisa C. Lyons
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa C. Lyons .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Paul C. Guest

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De Nobrega, A.K., Luz, K.V., Lyons, K.N., Lyons, L.C. (2020). Investigating Alcohol Behavior and Physiology Using Drosophila melanogaster. In: Guest, P. (eds) Clinical and Preclinical Models for Maximizing Healthspan. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2138. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0471-7_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0471-7_7

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0470-0

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