D. Melanogaster Gut-Brain Axis Modulation via Spectrophotometric & Behavioral Study

Overview

This study investigates the impact of dietary modifications on neurotransmitter levels, microbial metabolism, and cognitive flexibility in Drosophila melanogaster. This was done by modulating gut microbiota and its interactions with the gut-brain axis. The hypothesis for this study was that probiotic supplementation will enhance serotonin and dopamine levels, thus leading to improved behavioral adaptability, while antibiotic treatment will deplete neurotransmitters and impair cognitive function in D. melanogaster. Serotonin and dopamine concentrations were quantified from hemolymph samples, while microbial metabolism was analyzed through gut-derived metabolite detection. Behavioral assays including maize-based decision-making and locomotion tracking were deployed to evaluate the aforementioned metric of cognitive adaptability as well as stress resilience across different diet groups. The results of this experiment indicate probiotic supplementation increased the levels of dopamine by 27%, serotonin by 385%, and maze-solving efficiency by 22% respectively, while antibiotic exposure led to a 45% serotonin reduction. Tryptophan supplementation restored serotonin levels and mitigated behavioral impairments, reinforcing the gut microbiota’s role in neurochemical balance. As D. melanogaster shares conserved gut-brain pathways, neurotransmitter systems, and microbial interactions with humans, this study shows that dietary interventions can inform treatments for neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.