"A brain cell is a brain cell," according to geneticist Barry Ganetzky of the University of Wisconsin-Madison medical school, which means studying the tiny brains of fruit flies may provide scientists important insights, preventative measures, and treatments for concussions.
Scientists have used the insect for a long time. Ganezky in particular has studied the nerve cells of fruit flies for over thirty years, according to The LA Times.
"They have been used for study of learning and memory; they have been used to study models of epilepsy; they have been used to study circadian rhythm; they have been used to study sleep, and they have been used to study addiction," Ganetzky said. "At a fundamental level, a brain cell is a brain cell. If there's some damage to it, it shouldn't make any difference if that damage is occurring because it's inside the head of a fly or inside the head of a human."
Besides being easy to raise, fruit flies have a short lifespan, which makes studying the long-term effects of any condition extremely convenient, according to The LA Times. The effects of concussions are generally realized in the long term. Fruit flies an especially choice test subject.
Ganetzky's interest in concussions began as brain injuries became a major issue in the NFL and climaxed with the suicide of former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, whose brain tissue showed signs of the degenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) The LA Times reported. Ganetsky didn't think the NFL had a precise enough definition of concussions. Fruit flies, he believed, could provide that and more.
"It's symptomatic," Ganetzky said. "It's not like you measure something. It's not like diabetes or high blood pressure."
