A recent study led by Adrian Rothenfluh, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah, sheds light on the surprising similarities between human and fruit fly reactions to cocaine. As Rothenfluh notes, both organisms exhibit increased activity at low doses of cocaine, but succumb to incapacitation at higher doses.
The research highlights how closely related these two species are in terms of addiction mechanisms, given that fruit flies share about 75% of the genes known to be involved in human diseases. This genetic similarity makes fruit flies an attractive model for investigating the biology behind various substance dependencies, including cocaine use disorder.
However, there is an intriguing challenge: unlike humans, fruit flies show no preference for cocaine. Rothenfluh and his team discovered that when presented with a choice between sugar water and sugar water mixed with cocaine, the flies consistently opted for the drug-free option, even after prior exposure to the substance.
This aversion raises questions about the underlying mechanisms of addiction in both flies and humans. To further understand this phenomenon, researchers are now focused on deciphering why fruit flies don’t find cocaine appealing and whether this barrier can be overcome.
The potential implications of this research extend beyond just understanding fruit fly behavior. Scientists believe that establishing a reliable model of cocaine use disorder in flies could significantly accelerate the pace of new therapeutic discoveries.
Philyaw, a member of Rothenfluh’s research team, emphasizes the speed at which research can be scaled in fruit flies. With their rapid growth and ease of genetic experimentation, researchers can explore hundreds of relevant genes in a fraction of the time it would take with more complex organisms. This foundational work can then inform researchers studying mammalian models to identify treatment targets.
Rothenfluh concurs with this optimistic view, stating that a deeper understanding of the mechanisms influencing cocaine choice could lead to potential new therapeutics. The ongoing efforts aim not only to discover specific treatments but also to contribute to a broader understanding of how both human and fruit fly brains operate.
The implications of basic research can often lead to unexpected findings that enhance our understanding of the human condition. Rothenfluh underscores the significance of studying the simple fly brain, reminding us that insights gained from these small creatures can yield significant benefits.
This research was published in the Journal of Neuroscience under the title “Bitter sensing protects Drosophila from developing experience-dependent cocaine consumption preference.” The work received funding from multiple reputable sources, including the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the University of Utah Molecular Medicine Program, and several National Institutes of Health grants.
As scientists continue to unlock the mysteries of addiction, the combination of fruit fly models and human research may pave the way for innovative therapeutic advances.
image source from：https://healthcare.utah.edu/newsroom/news/2025/06/fruit-flies-cocaine-could-reveal-better-therapies-addiction
