PgmNr D1388: A Drosophila Model of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Authors:
Mingkuan Sun; Sheng Wang; Liam Chen


Institutes
Neuropathology Division, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205 USA.


Keyword: other ( chronic traumatic encephalopathy, animal model )

Abstract:

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated concussive and subconcussive brain injury. It has been found most often in contact sports athletes, less frequently in non-athletes including military service members. There is characteristic gross and microscopic changes in the brain, including frontal and temporal atrophy, hyperphosphorylated tau deposition in neurons and astrocytes in a pattern that is distinct from that of other tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In order to understand the mechanisms responsible for its complex spectrum of pathologies, we exploited the versatile molecular tools available for Drosophila melanogaster and developed a fruit fly CTE model. Repetitive head trauma inflicted flies demonstrated persistent neuroinflammation, abnormal accumulation of phosphorylated tau protein, and neurodegeneration in the absence of macroscopic tissue damage. Our model offers a new platform to investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms of CTE and provide a rapid means to develop efficacious interventions for prevention and treatment of CTE.