Figure 6.

Benefits from HD & HT treatment in the UA44 strain. The nematode strain UA44 is characterized by α-synuclein as well as GFP expression in dopaminergic neurons. After polyphenol treatment, the wave initiation rate (A), the body wave number (B) and the activity index (C) were determined in two independent trials with ≥48 nematodes per treatment and age. Furthermore, the neuronal viability was analysed in three trials with ≥39 nematodes per treatment and age by fluorescence microscopy using a green filter. Shown are the percentages of nematodes with degenerated dopaminergic anterior neurons with and without polyphenolic treatment (D). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Differences compared to control were considered significant at p < 0.05 (*) and p < 0.001 (**). A3, A7, A12: 3rd, 7th and 12th day of adulthood. Two nematodes with neurodegeneration characterized by missing or weak fluorescence in the DA neurons (E) as well as two nematodes with intact neuronal appearance (F) are shown. The DA neurons are sub-classified as four CEP neurons (red arrows), which are superimposed in most pictures and two ADE neurons (yellow arrows).