Sundown syndrome-like symptoms in fruit flies may be due to high dopamine levels
Monday, May 14, 2012 - 11:30
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have discovered a mechanism involving the neurotransmitter dopamine that switches fruit fly behavior from being active during the day (diurnal) to nocturnal. This change parallels a human disorder in which increased agitation occurs in the evening hours near sunset and may also be due to higher than normal dopamine levels in the brain.