Researchers believe gene mechanism may point to new treatments for alcohol abuse.
Drunken fruit flies have helped an international team of scientists to identify a key gene associated with alcohol consumption in humans. The researchers believe understanding how the gene works may point to new kinds of treatments for alcohol use disorders.
The research involved studying the effect of alcohol on fruit fly behaviour, said Trinity College Dublin’s Prof Arun Bokde, who participated in the international effort.
The flies behave more or less like we do when given alcohol. Low doses make us and fruit flies more lively while a heavy dose knocks us out. Flies also show addiction-like behaviour much as we do.
Source: Dick Ahlstrom, The Irish Times, 14/07/15
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