Aquatic blues: modeling depression and antidepressant action in zebrafish

Michael Nguyen; Adam Michael Stewart; Allan V Kalueff

doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.03.003

Aquatic blues: modeling depression and antidepressant action in zebrafish

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 3:55:26-39. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.03.003. Epub 2014 Mar 19.

Authors

Michael Nguyen¹, Adam Michael Stewart², Allan V Kalueff³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
² ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Electronic address: ams459@pitt.edu.
³ ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.

PMID: 24657522
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.03.003

Abstract

Depression is a serious psychiatric condition affecting millions of patients worldwide. Unipolar depression is characterized by low mood, anhedonia, social withdrawal and other severely debilitating psychiatric symptoms. Bipolar disorder manifests in alternating depressed mood and 'hyperactive' manic/hypomanic states. Animal experimental models are an invaluable tool for research into the pathogenesis of bipolar/unipolar depression, and for the development of potential treatments. Due to their high throughput value, genetic tractability, low cost and quick reproductive cycle, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a promising new model species for studying brain disorders. Here, we discuss the developing utility of zebrafish for studying depression disorders, and outline future areas of research in this field. We argue that zebrafish represent a useful model organism for studying depression and its behavioral, genetic and physiological mechanisms, as well as for anti-depressant drug discovery.

Keywords: Bipolar depression; Mood disorder; Psychiatric disorder; Unipolar depression; Zebrafish.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
Behavior, Animal
Biomarkers / metabolism
Chronic Disease
Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
Depressive Disorder / genetics
Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
Disease Models, Animal*
Stress, Psychological
Zebrafish* / genetics

Substances

Antidepressive Agents
Biomarkers