The Deadly Impact of Witnessing Death on Fruit Flies

Neuroscientists have identified the neural circuits and signaling processes behind the physiological effects, including rapid aging, that occur when fruit flies encounter their dead. They found that a handful of neurons in the Drosophila brain called R2/R4 neurons act as a rheostat for aging. Inhibiting or activating them changed the aging rate of the flies, suggesting that these neurons alter fly life span in response to perceiving dead flies. The study provides insight into the neural underpinnings of how the senses affect aging and could help researchers better understand the physiological and psychological effects of people who routinely witness death.