Review
Behavioural assessments of neurotoxic effects and neurodegeneration in zebrafish

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Abstract

Altered neurological function will generally be behaviourally apparent. Many of the behavioural models pioneered in mammalian models are portable to zebrafish. Tests are available to capture alterations in basic motor function, changes associated with exteroceptive and interoceptive sensory cues, and alterations in learning and memory performance. Excepting some endpoints involving learning, behavioural tests can be carried out at 4 days post fertilization. Given larvae can be reared quickly and in large numbers, and that software solutions are readily available from multiple vendors to automatically test behavioural responses in 96 larvae simultaneously, zebrafish are a potent and rapid model for screening neurological impairments. Coupling current and emerging behavioural endpoints with molecular techniques will permit and accelerate the determination of the mechanisms behind neurotoxicity and degeneration, as well as provide numerous means to test remedial drugs and other therapies. The emphasis of this review is to highlight unexplored/underutilized behavioural assays for future studies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Zebrafish Models of Neurological Diseases.

Research Highlights

►Neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration typically have associated behavioural phenotypes. ►Zebrafish behavioural assays have tight parallel with mammalian assays. ►Behavioural assays can test motor and sensory neuron function, and cognitive performance. ►Numerous behavioural assays can be conducted on zebrafish 4 days post fertilization

Abbreviations

AChE
acetylcholinesterase
Anti-AChE
anticholinesterase
CPP
conditioned place preference
CS
conditioned stimulus
dpf
days post fertilization
OKR
optokinetic response
OMR
optomotor response
OP
organophosphorus agent
OSN
olfactory sensory neuron
PEA
phenylethyl alcohol
PTZ
pentylenetetrazole
UCS
unconditioned stimulus

Keywords

Zebrafish
Behaviour
Activity
Sensorimotor
Learning endpoints

Cited by (0)

This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Zebrafish Models of Neurological Diseases.