Zebrafish as a Promising Model in Translational Neurobiology and Biomedicine

Abstract

Abstract—High prevalence of the central nervous system disorders necessitates novel methods and approaches for their pharmacological correction. Traditionally used rodent models are limited by high costs of research, complex maintenance and care, and long development. The use of alternative, aquatic model organisms, such as the zebrafish (Danio rerio), in translational neuroscience and medicine allows for fast efficient experimentation with easy maintenance, manipulations, and rapid development. Zebrafish are also sensitive to major classes of physiologically active agents, which makes this model indispensable for preclinical studies of a wide range of small molecules. The similarity of neurochemical systems, the presence of major neurotransmitters, a high degree of genetic and physiological homology with humans, the availability of both larval and adult fish models, and embryonic transparency provide multiple possibilities for using this organism to model CNS pathologies and its genetic and environmental causes.