Repetitive mild head trauma induces activity mediated lifelong brain deficits in a novel Drosophila model

• Authors: Joseph A Behnke, Emory University; Changtian Ye, Emory University; Aayush Setty, Emory University; Kenneth Moberg, Emory University; James Zheng, Emory University
• Journal Title: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
• Volume: Volume 11, Number 1
• Publisher: NATURE RESEARCH | 2021-05-06, Pages 9738-9738
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89121-7
• Subjects: Biology, Cell
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Science & Technology - Other Topics; CONTROLLED CORTICAL IMPACT; GLUTAMATE TRANSPORTERS; REACTIVE ASTROCYTES; ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; NEGATIVE GEOTAXIS; SEX-DIFFERENCES; TAU PATHOLOGY; AXONAL INJURY; EXPRESSION; ENCEPHALOPATHY

Abstract

Mild head trauma, including concussion, can lead to chronic brain dysfunction and degeneration but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we developed a novel head impact system to investigate the long-term effects of mild head trauma on brain structure and function, as well as the underlying mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster. We find that Drosophila subjected to repetitive head impacts develop long-term deficits, including impaired startle-induced climbing, progressive brain degeneration, and shortened lifespan, all of which are substantially exacerbated in female flies. Interestingly, head impacts elicit an elevation in neuronal activity and its acute suppression abrogates the detrimental effects in female flies. Together, our findings validate Drosophila as a suitable model system for investigating the long-term effects of mild head trauma, suggest an increased vulnerability to brain injury in female flies, and indicate that early altered neuronal excitability may be a key mechanism linking mild brain trauma to chronic degeneration.