Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Biology

College

College of Science

First Advisor

Fang Ju Lin

Abstract/Description

Parkinson's disease (PD) causes rigidity, tremors, and posture impairments. There is no cure for this disease and its symptoms intensify with age. In this study, fruit flies were induced with PD using rotenone and the flies in treatment group were provided with food that contained nicotine to determine if nicotine causes neuroprotection and alleviates symptoms of PD. A climbing assay was used to assess the severity of symptoms of PD in the control and experimental groups. The PD induced flies that received nicotine did not show a significant difference in motor ability and therefore did not experience neuroprotection.

Included in

Biology Commons

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