Zebrafish as a Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Murilo S de Abreu; Rafael Genario; Ana C V V Giacomini; Konstantin A Demin; Anton M Lakstygal; Tamara G Amstislavskaya; Barbara Dotto Fontana; Matthew O Parker; Allan V Kalueff

doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.034

Zebrafish as a Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neuroscience. 2020 Oct 1:445:3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.034. Epub 2019 Aug 29.

Authors

Murilo S de Abreu¹, Rafael Genario², Ana C V V Giacomini³, Konstantin A Demin⁴, Anton M Lakstygal⁵, Tamara G Amstislavskaya⁶, Barbara Dotto Fontana⁷, Matthew O Parker⁷, Allan V Kalueff⁸

Affiliations

¹ Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA. Electronic address: abreu_murilo@hotmail.com.
² Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
³ Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil.
⁴ Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
⁵ Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Granov Russian Scientific Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Pesochny, Russia.
⁶ Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia.
⁷ Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
⁸ School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia. Electronic address: avkalueff@gmail.com.

PMID: 31472215
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.08.034

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) caused by aberrant brain growth and development are life-long, debilitating illnesses that markedly impair the quality of life. Animal models are a valuable tool for studying NDD pathobiology and therapies. Mounting evidence suggests the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a useful model organism to study NDDs, possessing both high physiological homology to humans and sensitivity to pharmacological and genetic manipulations. Here, we summarize experimental models of NDDs in zebrafish and highlight the growing translational significance of zebrafish NDD-related phenotypes. We also emphasize the need in further development of zebrafish models of NDDs to improve our understanding of their pathogenesis and therapeutic treatments.

Keywords: animal models; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; autism; genetic models; neurodevelopment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain
Disease Models, Animal
Humans
Models, Animal
Neurodevelopmental Disorders*
Quality of Life
Zebrafish*