Using Fruit Flies in Developing New Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder
Scientists are leveraging fruit flies to gain insights into developing effective treatments for alcohol use disorder, utilizing their genetic similarity to humans and response to alcohol-related behaviors.
Recent research suggests that the tiny fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, could play a significant role in advancing treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD). A comprehensive study published in Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research demonstrates how these insects can be utilized to better understand the biological responses to medications aimed at reducing alcohol consumption and preference. Given that fruit flies share many genes related to alcohol response with humans, they offer a valuable model for preclinical research.
The study involved experiments to verify the effects of existing medications like naltrexone, acamprosate, and topiramate. These drugs are known to influence alcohol-related behaviors in humans and were tested on fruit flies to observe their impact on motor skills, alcohol intake, and memory associations with alcohol cues. Findings showed that naltrexone and acamprosate effectively reduced the flies' preference for alcohol, confirming their potential to diminish motivation for alcohol seeking. Interestingly, topiramate did not alter alcohol consumption in the fly model, possibly because it primarily addresses withdrawal symptoms, which were not observed in this study.
Furthermore, the researchers explored other pharmacological agents, such as γ-secretase inhibitors dibenzazepine and compound E, which showed promise in diminishing alcohol preference by affecting memory processes linked to alcohol's rewarding effects. These drugs are currently being used for other medical conditions, like some cancers and Alzheimer's disease, indicating new avenues for repurposing.
Overall, this research highlights the suitability of Drosophila as a model organism in identifying and testing potential pharmacotherapies for AUD, accelerating the search for effective medications with fewer side effects. The study advocates for further exploration into these genetic and behavioral parallels to enhance our understanding and treatment options for alcohol dependence.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-fruit-flies-scientists-treatments-alcohol.html
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