Effects of Zone Smelling Salts on Locomotion and Anxiety in Drosophila melanogaster
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Authors
Tooke, Mederise
Prokopyschyn, Zackery
Date of Issue
2025-04-25
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
In recent years, the use of smelling salts has become increasingly popular among athletes due to the perceived beneficial effects of ammonia gas inhalation. However, previous studies have revealed little evidence supporting these effects, which include increased muscle strength, enhanced focus, and increased endurance during athletic activities. These studies have also shown that short term exposure to smelling salts does not result in any adverse side effects. There is, however, a lack of understanding regarding the potential adverse effects related to more long-term and repeated use of smelling salts. To obtain a greater insight into the physiological effects of smelling salt use, this study tested the effects of Zone Smelling Salts on gene expression and behavior in the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. It was hypothesized that exposure to Zone Smelling Salt would increase in locomotion and anxiety, as well as cause an upregulation of CYC and ACC gene expression. The CYC gene functions as a regulator of circadian rhythm through the transcription of the protein USP-8 while the ACC gene encodes for an enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine, which is related to locomotion as well as respiratory system integrity. To test this hypothesis, expression of the CYC and ACC genes was measured using Rt-qPCR while locomotion and anxiety were analyzed using behavioral assays that measure wall climbing, wall following, and chemotaxis. The resulting data revealed that Zone Smelling Salt exposure in D. melanogaster resulted in a significant decrease in CYC gene expression, along with a significant increase in anxiety related and avoidance behaviors. The results of this study suggest that there are adverse effects to smelling salt inhalation, which requires further investigation.