How the brain of a fly may help explain human behaviour
Summary
Scientists have created a detailed 3D map of all nerve connections in a male fruit fly’s brain and compared it to a female fly’s brain. They found small differences in brain wiring that explain male behaviors like aggression, courtship, and singing love songs. This research could help scientists better understand how brain wiring affects behaviors in humans and conditions like autism and schizophrenia.Key Facts
- Scientists mapped all 124 million nerve connections in a male fruit fly’s brain.
- They previously mapped the female fruit fly brain two years ago.
- About 95% of nerve cells are the same in male and female flies; 5% differ.
- Differences in brain wiring explain male-specific behaviors such as tracking females, fighting more, and producing love songs.
- The love song is made by vibrating wings, and only males have the brain wiring for this.
- Two key genes control these brain wiring differences related to behavior.
- The research was led by Prof Gregory Jefferis at the University of Cambridge and published in the journal Cell.
- The study helps reveal how genes lead to brain wiring that shapes behavior.
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