Using Drosophila to Study Alzheimer's Disease: Potential Breakthrough for New Drugs

The video discusses the buildup of proteins in the brain and its link to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Southampton University are using Drosophila, the common fruit fly, to study the role of the Tau protein in Alzheimer's progression. Over 100 genes in Drosophila are closely related to human disease-causing genes. The research aims to regulate Tau protein, potentially leading to new drugs. In the UK, over 700,000 people suffer from dementia, with more than half having Alzheimer's. By studying these diseases in fruit flies, scientists hope to understand their molecular origins and develop preventive therapies.

What is the significance of identifying genes related to Alzheimer's in Drosophila?

What challenges do researchers face in understanding the origins of Alzheimer's disease?