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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Neurocircuit Assays for Seizures in Epilepsy Mutants of Drosophila
Published on: April 15, 2009
Investigation of Seizure-Susceptibility in a Drosophila melanogaster Model of Human Epilepsy with Optogenetic
Arunesh Saras1, Veronica V Wu1, Harlan J Brawer1
1Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, Division of Organismal Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720.
Abstract:
We examined seizure-susceptibility in a Drosophila model of human epilepsy using optogenetic stimulation of ReaChR (red-activatable channelrhodopsin). Photostimulation of the seizure-sensitive mutant para causes behavioral paralysis that resembles paralysis caused by mechanical stimulation, in many aspects. Electrophysiology shows that photostimulation evokes abnormal seizure-like neuronal firing in para followed by a quiescent period resembling synaptic failure and apparently responsible for paralysis. The pattern of neuronal activity concludes with seizure-like activity just prior to recovery. We tentatively identify the mushroom body as one apparent locus of optogenetic seizure initiation. The α/β lobes may be primarily responsible for mushroom body seizure induction.
