Fruit fly brains aid medical researchers

COLUMBIA, Mo., March 26 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have discovered a mechanism in fruit fly memory development that might benefit Parkinson's disease patients.

A University of Missouri researcher studying Drosophila, a type of fruit fly, found that by manipulating levels of certain compounds, key genes related to memory can be isolated and tested.

Assistant Professor Troy Zars said the results of his study might also eventually lead to discoveries in the treatment of depression.

"The implication for human health is that it could influence our understanding of the cognitive decline associated with Parkinson's disease and depression in humans," said Zars. "This research is important because by studying a simple brain, it will help us ultimately understand complex neural systems."

The research appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.