Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

A System for Tracking the Dynamics of Social Preference Behavior in Small Rodents
Published on: November 21, 2019
Social behavior and aging: A fly model
Dova B Brenman-Suttner1,2, Ryley T Yost1, Ariel K Frame1
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
The field of behavioral genetics has recently begun to explore the effect of age on social behaviors. Such studies are particularly important, as certain neuropsychiatric disorders with abnormal social interactions, like autism and schizophrenia, have been linked to older parents. Appropriate social interaction can also have a positive impact on longevity, and is associated with successful aging in humans. Currently, there are few genetic models for understanding the effect of aging on social behavior and its potential transgenerational inheritance. The fly is emerging as a powerful model for identifying the basic molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss these recent advancements, with a focus on how studies in Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the effect of aging on aspects of social behavior, including across generations.
Related Concept Videos
Social Scripts
Social Psychology and Individual Behavior
Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
Social Proof
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals
Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior

