Lead: Bitter sensing protects Drosophila from developing experience-dependent cocaine consumption preference

Bitter sensing protects Drosophila from developing experience-dependent cocaine consumption preference The Journal of Neuroscience Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a highly heritable condition for which there are no effective treatments. Testing the many human genetic variants linked to CUD requires a cost-effective, genetically tractable model. This study showed that bitter-sensing neurons prevent cocaine self-administration in Drosophila. Disrupting Drosophila bitter perception enables a model for experience-dependent cocaine preference. The findings underscore the potential of Drosophila as a crucial tool for identifying the genetic mechanisms underlying CUD, aiding in the discovery of new therapeutic targets, and contributing to the development of effective treatments for this highly heritable disease.   Read this issue of the ASAM Weekly Subscribe to the ASAM Weekly Visit ASAM