Analysis of sleep/wake cycles in zebrafish larvae

Marina Ricarte; Eva Prats; Juliette Bedrossiantz; Demetrio Raldúa

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2023.102492

Analysis of sleep/wake cycles in zebrafish larvae

MethodsX. 2023 Nov 24:12:102492. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102492. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Authors

Marina Ricarte¹, Eva Prats², Juliette Bedrossiantz¹, Demetrio Raldúa¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, Barcelona 08034, Spain.
² Research and Development Center (CID-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, Barcelona 08034, Spain.

Abstract

Zebrafish larvae are a model organism increasingly used in the study of the effect of neuroactive chemicals on vertebrate sleep/wake cycles. Sleep disturbances have a negative impact on mood, cognition and overall health. Here we present a protocol to assess over 24 h sleep/wake cycles in zebrafish larvae subjected to 12 h light/dark periods in 48-well plates, using video-tracking technologies. The protocol can be used to determine if the exposure to environmental pollutants or drugs can lead to sleep disturbances. The results on the effect of the tire rubber-derived 6PPD-quinone on zebrafish sleep/wake cycles presented here demonstrate the suitability of using this protocol in fish neurotoxicity studies. This protocol provides a new relevant tool to be used in the pharmacology and toxicology fields.

Keywords: Analysis of sleep/wake cycles in zebrafish larvae; Sleep disturbance; Sleep/wake cycles; Video-tracking technologies; Zebrafish larvae.