Drosophila Models of Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

In his book Insects and the Life of Man: Collected Essays on Pure Science and Applied Biology, Sir V. B. Wigglesworth examined how a fundamental understanding of insect physiology and biology can be applied to some of society's greatest challenges, including human health. Here we reflect on how, in the 50 years since his book's publication, Drosophila melanogaster have played a critical role in advancing our understanding of human neurodegenerative diseases. Focusing on Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and the frontotemporal dementia / amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum, we examine the role Drosophila have played in elucidating fundamental mechanisms of neurodegeneration, identifying therapeutic targets, and dissecting the complex interplay that exists between genetics and environmental factors. Together these studies highlight how Drosophila models continue to provide critical insight into the molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegeneration and provide a fundamental pre-clinical model in which we can accelerate research into human neurodegenerative conditions.