Sleep Disturbances in Pathological Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Drosophila melanogaster Model
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Jason Gerstner: j.gerstner@wsu.edu
Dr. Gary Chang: chang@gonzaga.edu
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Research Project Abstract
Sleep disturbances are common in neurodegenerative diseases and may be a clinical factor in disease etiology. ALS patients have been reported to get either insufficient sleep or sleep that is low in quality. However, the reasons for sleep issues in ALS are unclear. Recent studies suggest that there are genetic mechanisms associated with ALS that have been shown to be implicated in sleep problems. In this study, we investigated a Drosophila ALS Model for sleep deficits, which have not previously been characterized. In order to evaluate sleep disturbances in Drosophila ALS models, the Drosophila Activity Monitoring System (DAMS) was utilized. Preliminary data suggested increased day time bout duration in a pathological ALS mutant compared to controls. These studies suggest that fly models of ALS may reveal mechanistic clues in regard to the possible relationship between sleep and disease. Future studies examining sleep in ALS fly models with genetic and/or pharmacological screening may prove to be beneficial for therapeutic strategies targeting ALS.
Session Number
PS2
Location
HUB Multipurpose Room
Abstract Number
PS2-v
Sleep Disturbances in Pathological Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Drosophila melanogaster Model
HUB Multipurpose Room
Sleep disturbances are common in neurodegenerative diseases and may be a clinical factor in disease etiology. ALS patients have been reported to get either insufficient sleep or sleep that is low in quality. However, the reasons for sleep issues in ALS are unclear. Recent studies suggest that there are genetic mechanisms associated with ALS that have been shown to be implicated in sleep problems. In this study, we investigated a Drosophila ALS Model for sleep deficits, which have not previously been characterized. In order to evaluate sleep disturbances in Drosophila ALS models, the Drosophila Activity Monitoring System (DAMS) was utilized. Preliminary data suggested increased day time bout duration in a pathological ALS mutant compared to controls. These studies suggest that fly models of ALS may reveal mechanistic clues in regard to the possible relationship between sleep and disease. Future studies examining sleep in ALS fly models with genetic and/or pharmacological screening may prove to be beneficial for therapeutic strategies targeting ALS.
