Neurons in Drosophila Related to Recovery of Jet-lag Identified

June 30, 2015

Researchers in Okayama University and University of Würzburg have shown that approximately fourteen neurons of the brain in Drosophila are critical in the recovery of jet lag.

The findings were published on April 15, 2015 in the Journal of Neuroscience.
http://www.jneurosci.org/content/35/15/6131.short

T. Yoshii and his colleagues have searched for neurons in the brain of Drosophila related to entrainment to new light/dark cycles of the circadian clock. They have found that specific subsets of neurons have a major role of rapid recovery of jet lag when a protein called Cryptochrome is expressed in the cells.

Drosophila has approximately 150 neurons in the brain related to its circadian clock. The study showed that fourteen neurons among them have distinct functions in light entrainment and might have a central role in the circadian clock.

Jet lag is caused by traveling abroad, night shift work and irregular habits in ordinary life. Many people are suffering from jet lag. The findings could lead to the development of the inhibition of jet lag.

Contact Information
Mototaka Senda, Ph.D.
Director, Okayama University Silicon Valley Office
Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University
2450 Peralta Blvd. #119
Fremont, California USA
TEL: 1-510-396-2031
Email: takasenda(a)okayama-u.ac.jp
For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.
　
Taishi Yoshii, Ph.D.
Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama Japan