Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model

Complex genetic architecture is the major cause of heterogeneity in epilepsy, which poses challenges for accurate diagnosis and precise treatment. A large number of epilepsy candidate genes have been identified from clinical studies, particularly with the widespread use of next-generation sequencing...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaochong Qu, Xiaodan Lai, Mingfeng He, Jinyuan Zhang, Binbin Xiang, Chuqiao Liu, Ruina Huang, Yiwu Shi, Jingda Qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2026-01-01
Series:Neural Regeneration Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00877
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850268923852750848
author Xiaochong Qu
Xiaodan Lai
Mingfeng He
Jinyuan Zhang
Binbin Xiang
Chuqiao Liu
Ruina Huang
Yiwu Shi
Jingda Qiao
author_facet Xiaochong Qu
Xiaodan Lai
Mingfeng He
Jinyuan Zhang
Binbin Xiang
Chuqiao Liu
Ruina Huang
Yiwu Shi
Jingda Qiao
author_sort Xiaochong Qu
collection DOAJ
description Complex genetic architecture is the major cause of heterogeneity in epilepsy, which poses challenges for accurate diagnosis and precise treatment. A large number of epilepsy candidate genes have been identified from clinical studies, particularly with the widespread use of next-generation sequencing. Validating these candidate genes is emerging as a valuable yet challenging task. Drosophila serves as an ideal animal model for validating candidate genes associated with neurogenetic disorders such as epilepsy, due to its rapid reproduction rate, powerful genetic tools, and efficient use of ethological and electrophysiological assays. Here, we systematically summarize the advantageous techniques of the Drosophila model used to investigate epilepsy genes, including genetic tools for manipulating target gene expression, ethological assays for seizure-like behaviors, electrophysiological techniques, and functional imaging for recording neural activity. We then introduce several typical strategies for identifying epilepsy genes and provide new insights into gene‒gene interactions in epilepsy with polygenic causes. We summarize well-established precision medicine strategies for epilepsy and discuss prospective treatment options, including drug therapy and gene therapy for genetic epilepsy based on the Drosophila model. Finally, we also address genetic counseling and assisted reproductive technology as potential approaches for the prevention of genetic epilepsy.
format Article
id doaj-art-160b4bfa8e1c4d128d21576916a246a2
institution OA Journals
issn 1673-5374
1876-7958
language English
publishDate 2026-01-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Neural Regeneration Research
spelling doaj-art-160b4bfa8e1c4d128d21576916a246a22025-08-20T01:53:19ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsNeural Regeneration Research1673-53741876-79582026-01-0121119521110.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00877Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila modelXiaochong QuXiaodan LaiMingfeng HeJinyuan ZhangBinbin XiangChuqiao LiuRuina HuangYiwu ShiJingda QiaoComplex genetic architecture is the major cause of heterogeneity in epilepsy, which poses challenges for accurate diagnosis and precise treatment. A large number of epilepsy candidate genes have been identified from clinical studies, particularly with the widespread use of next-generation sequencing. Validating these candidate genes is emerging as a valuable yet challenging task. Drosophila serves as an ideal animal model for validating candidate genes associated with neurogenetic disorders such as epilepsy, due to its rapid reproduction rate, powerful genetic tools, and efficient use of ethological and electrophysiological assays. Here, we systematically summarize the advantageous techniques of the Drosophila model used to investigate epilepsy genes, including genetic tools for manipulating target gene expression, ethological assays for seizure-like behaviors, electrophysiological techniques, and functional imaging for recording neural activity. We then introduce several typical strategies for identifying epilepsy genes and provide new insights into gene‒gene interactions in epilepsy with polygenic causes. We summarize well-established precision medicine strategies for epilepsy and discuss prospective treatment options, including drug therapy and gene therapy for genetic epilepsy based on the Drosophila model. Finally, we also address genetic counseling and assisted reproductive technology as potential approaches for the prevention of genetic epilepsy.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00877drosophila melanogasterelectrophysiologyepilepsygeneticsmorphologyneurogenetic diseasespolygeneprecision medicineseizure behavioruas/gal4 system
spellingShingle Xiaochong Qu
Xiaodan Lai
Mingfeng He
Jinyuan Zhang
Binbin Xiang
Chuqiao Liu
Ruina Huang
Yiwu Shi
Jingda Qiao
Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model
Neural Regeneration Research
drosophila melanogaster
electrophysiology
epilepsy
genetics
morphology
neurogenetic diseases
polygene
precision medicine
seizure behavior
uas/gal4 system
title Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model
title_full Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model
title_fullStr Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model
title_short Investigation of epilepsy-related genes in a Drosophila model
title_sort investigation of epilepsy related genes in a drosophila model
topic drosophila melanogaster
electrophysiology
epilepsy
genetics
morphology
neurogenetic diseases
polygene
precision medicine
seizure behavior
uas/gal4 system
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-24-00877
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaochongqu investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT xiaodanlai investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT mingfenghe investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT jinyuanzhang investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT binbinxiang investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT chuqiaoliu investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT ruinahuang investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT yiwushi investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel
AT jingdaqiao investigationofepilepsyrelatedgenesinadrosophilamodel