Although differences in the functions of neurotransmitter systems should be taken into account when interpreting results, if using the fly to model neurodegenerative diseases, it should be noted that it is the damaged cholinergic portion of the brain that is linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, hence the use of cholinesterase inhibitors to slow disease development. Here, BCHE is linked to early-onset autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease.