Assessing Senescence in Drosophila Using Video Tracking

Abstract

Senescence is associated with changes in gene expression, including the upregulation of stress response- and innate immune response-related genes. In addition, aging animals exhibit characteristic changes in movement behaviors including decreased gait speed and a deterioration in sleep/wake rhythms. Here, we describe methods for tracking Drosophila melanogaster movements in 3D with simultaneous quantification of fluorescent transgenic reporters. This approach allows for the assessment of correlations between behavior, aging, and gene expression as well as for the quantification of biomarkers of aging.

Geroscience approaches to increase healthspan and slow aging

“…Quantitation of movement in Drosophila is more difficult, as adding a third dimension (flight) makes evaluation of the inherent dynamics of movement more problematic. Here too, there have been encouraging efforts using sophisticated cameras/computational approaches to document flight speed and activity with age 55 – 57 , 66 . There are also some more “low-tech” approaches to quantitating Drosophila healthspan with regard to movement (for example, climbing activity 67 ).…”

Determination of the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in <em>Drosophila melanogaster</em>

“…In addition, if two flies cross the beam at the same time, it will only be recorded as one interruption. The protocol described here is useful for quantifying total activity, but other protocols could provide useful data if more precise information such as flight trajectory or velocity are desired 12,14,25 .…”