FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF SLEEP HOMEOSTASIS IN DROSOPHILA

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $344,531 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Although the precise function of sleep remains unknown, there is little question that sleep is required for maintaining optimal performance in a large and diverse number of biological systems. Indeed, cognitive impairments associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders are frequently accompanied by deficits in sleep physiology and architecture. We have previously shown that enhanced sleep can reverse memory deficits even in flies with catastrophic lesions to their primary memory center. We have now mapped a minimal circuitry required by this memory assay. Using genomics and behavioral genetics we have identified genes that can restore memory when they are modulated in a single circuit-component in a similar fashion as that produced by sleep. In this proposal we will determine the molecular pathways that regulate these genes. In addition, we will use calcium imaging to determine how restoring a single circuit component modulates the activity of other circuit components to restore memory during brain damage or the expression of Human Alzheimer's' related genes.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10434653
Project number
5R01NS051305-18
Recipient
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
PAUL J SHAW
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2022
Award amount
$344,531
Award type
5
Project period
2005-04-01 → 2024-03-31