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Gamba BFG, Pickler KDP, Lodetti G, Farias ACSD, Teixeira AG, Bernardo HT, Dondossola ER, Cararo JH, Luchiari AC, Rosemberg DB, Rico EP. Embryonic alcohol exposure alters cholinergic neurotransmission and memory in adult zebrafish. Behav Brain Res 2024; 474:115176. [PMID: 39098400 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol is the most consumed addictive substance worldwide that elicits multiple health problems. Consumption of alcoholic beverages by pregnant women is of great concern because pre-natal exposure can trigger fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This disorder can significantly change the embryo's normal development, mainly by affecting the central nervous system (CNS), leading to neurobehavioral consequences that persist until adulthood. Among the harmful effects of FASD, the most reported consequences are cognitive and behavioral impairments. Alcohol interferes with multiple pathways in the brain, affecting memory by impairing neurotransmitter systems, increasing the rate of oxidative stress, or even activating neuroinflammation. Here, we aimed to evaluate the deleterious effects of alcohol on the cholinergic signaling and memory in a FASD zebrafish model, using inhibitory avoidance and novel object recognition tests. Four months after the embryonic exposure to ethanol, the behavioral tests indicated that ethanol impairs memory. While both ethanol concentrations tested (0.5 % and 1 %) disrupted memory acquisition in the inhibitory avoidance test, 1 % ethanol impaired memory in the object recognition test. Regarding the cholinergic system, 0.5 % ethanol decreased ChAT and AChE activities, but the relative gene expression did not change. Overall, we demonstrated that FASD model in zebrafish impairs memory in adult individuals, corroborating the memory impairment associated with embryonic exposure to ethanol. In addition, the cholinergic system was also affected, possibly showing a relation with the cognitive impairment observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Fiorentin Giordani Gamba
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil; Graduate Program in Psychobiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Karolyne de Pieri Pickler
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Lodetti
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Caroline Salvador de Farias
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Amanda Gomes Teixeira
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Henrique Teza Bernardo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Ronconi Dondossola
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - José Henrique Cararo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Luchiari
- Department of Physiology and Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil; Graduate Program in Psychobiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Denis Broock Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Pacheco Rico
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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Karatayev O, Collier AD, Targoff SR, Leibowitz SF. Neurological Disorders Induced by Drug Use: Effects of Adolescent and Embryonic Drug Exposure on Behavioral Neurodevelopment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8341. [PMID: 39125913 PMCID: PMC11313660 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies demonstrate that the risk of developing neurological disorders is increased by overconsumption of the commonly used drugs, alcohol, nicotine and cannabis. These drug-induced neurological disorders, which include substance use disorder (SUD) and its co-occurring emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression, are observed not only in adults but also with drug use during adolescence and after prenatal exposure to these drugs, and they are accompanied by long-lasting disturbances in brain development. This report provides overviews of clinical and preclinical studies, which confirm these adverse effects in adolescents and the offspring prenatally exposed to the drugs and include a more in-depth description of specific neuronal systems, their neurocircuitry and molecular mechanisms, affected by drug exposure and of specific techniques used to determine if these effects in the brain are causally related to the behavioral disturbances. With analysis of further studies, this review then addresses four specific questions that are important for fully understanding the impact that drug use in young individuals can have on future pregnancies and their offspring. Evidence demonstrates that the adverse effects on their brain and behavior can occur: (1) at low doses with short periods of drug exposure during pregnancy; (2) after pre-conception drug use by both females and males; (3) in subsequent generations following the initial drug exposure; and (4) in a sex-dependent manner, with drug use producing a greater risk in females than males of developing SUDs with emotional conditions and female offspring after prenatal drug exposure responding more adversely than male offspring. With the recent rise in drug use by adolescents and pregnant women that has occurred in association with the legalization of cannabis and increased availability of vaping tools, these conclusions from the clinical and preclinical literature are particularly alarming and underscore the urgent need to educate young women and men about the possible harmful effects of early drug use and to seek novel therapeutic strategies that might help to limit drug use in young individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; (O.K.); (S.R.T.)
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3
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de Souza AM, Alves de Medeiros MC, Gomes-de-Lima JN, Luchiari AC. Multigenerational effects of alcohol: A behavioral study in three zebrafish populations. Neurotoxicology 2024; 103:115-122. [PMID: 38857677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol exposure can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral impairments. Although zebrafish have been used as a reliable model to study FASD, little is known about the ontogeny of this disorder and population differences in subsequent generations not directly exposed to alcohol. In this study, we evaluated the behavioral outcomes of zebrafish populations AB, Outbred (OB), and Tubingen (TU), offspring of parents exposed to alcohol during embryonic development. The offspring of adult fish with FASD (exposed to 1 % alcohol at the embryonic stage) was compared to the offspring of unexposed parental fish (0 % alcohol at the embryo phase). The behavioral profile of the offspring was assessed at 6 days post-fertilization (dpf) and 45 dpf. At 6dpf, the AB FASD offspring exhibited hyperactivity and increased time at the edge of the tank, while the TU and OB FASD offspring showed hypoactivity. At 45dpf, TU fish maintained the larval locomotor pattern, characterized by decreased average speed and total distance traveled and increased immobility. However, AB and OB fish did not show alterations in locomotor activity and anxiety-related responses at 45dpf. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that FASD zebrafish offspring display behavioral differences, which were most evident during the early ontogenetic phase (6dpf) but may vary throughout animal ontogeny. TU fish exhibited the most consistent behavioral pattern across different developmental stages. These findings provide insights into the multigenerational and persistent behavioral consequences of embryonic alcohol exposure in zebrafish. Further research should focus on other features that can be inherited and the development of treatments for the offspring affected by it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Monteiro de Souza
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Carolina Luchiari
- Department of Physiology & Behavior, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil; Graduate Program in Psychobiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil.
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4
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Król M, Skowron P, Skowron K, Gil K. The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders-An Overview of Experimental Models, Therapeutic Strategies, and Future Research Directions. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:531. [PMID: 38790526 PMCID: PMC11120554 DOI: 10.3390/children11050531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Since the establishment of a clear link between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and certain birth defects, the research into the treatment of FASD has become increasingly sophisticated. The field has begun to explore the possibility of intervening at different levels, and animal studies have provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease, forming the basis for implementing potential therapies with increasingly precise mechanisms. The recent reports suggest that compounds that reduce the severity of neurodevelopmental deficits, including glial cell function and myelination, and/or target oxidative stress and inflammation may be effective in treating FASD. Our goal in writing this article was to analyze and synthesize current experimental therapeutic interventions for FASD, elucidating their potential mechanisms of action, translational relevance, and implications for clinical application. This review exclusively focuses on animal models and the interventions used in these models to outline the current direction of research. We conclude that given the complexity of the underlying mechanisms, a multifactorial approach combining nutritional supplementation, pharmacotherapy, and behavioral techniques tailored to the stage and severity of the disease may be a promising avenue for further research in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Król
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Czysta St. 18, 31-121 Krakow, Poland; (M.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Paweł Skowron
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Wroclaw Medical University, T. Chalubinskiego St. 10, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Kamil Skowron
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Czysta St. 18, 31-121 Krakow, Poland; (M.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Krzysztof Gil
- Department of Pathophysiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Czysta St. 18, 31-121 Krakow, Poland; (M.K.); (K.S.)
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Collier AD, Abdulai AR, Leibowitz SF. Utility of the Zebrafish Model for Studying Neuronal and Behavioral Disturbances Induced by Embryonic Exposure to Alcohol, Nicotine, and Cannabis. Cells 2023; 12:2505. [PMID: 37887349 PMCID: PMC10605371 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that 5% of pregnant women consume drugs of abuse during pregnancy. Clinical research suggests that intake of drugs during pregnancy, such as alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, disturbs the development of neuronal systems in the offspring, in association with behavioral disturbances early in life and an increased risk of developing drug use disorders. After briefly summarizing evidence in rodents, this review focuses on the zebrafish model and its inherent advantages for studying the effects of embryonic exposure to drugs of abuse on behavioral and neuronal development, with an emphasis on neuropeptides known to promote drug-related behaviors. In addition to stimulating the expression and density of peptide neurons, as in rodents, zebrafish studies demonstrate that embryonic drug exposure has marked effects on the migration, morphology, projections, anatomical location, and peptide co-expression of these neurons. We also describe studies using advanced methodologies that can be applied in vivo in zebrafish: first, to demonstrate a causal relationship between the drug-induced neuronal and behavioral disturbances and second, to discover underlying molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects. The zebrafish model has great potential for providing important information regarding the development of novel and efficacious therapies for ameliorating the effects of early drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah F. Leibowitz
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Syed OA, Tsang B, Gerlai R. The zebrafish for preclinical psilocybin research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105381. [PMID: 37689090 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the possible utility of zebrafish in research on psilocybin, a psychedelic drug whose recreational use as well as possible clinical application are gaining increasing interest. First, we review behavioral tests with zebrafish, focussing on anxiety and social behavior, which have particular relevance in the context of psilocybin research. Next, we briefly consider methods of genetic manipulations with which psilocybin's phenotypical effects and underlying mechanisms may be investigated in zebrafish. We briefly review the known mechanisms of psilocybin, and also discuss what we know about its safety and toxicity profile. Last, we discuss examples of how psilocybin may be employed for testing treatment efficacy in preclinical research for affective disorders in zebrafish. We conclude that zebrafish has a promising future in preclinical research on psychedelic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer A Syed
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada.
| | - Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada.
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Agues-Barbosa T, de Souza AM, de Lima JNG, Luchiari AC. Long-term behavioral alterations following embryonic alcohol exposure in three zebrafish populations. Neurotoxicology 2023; 96:174-183. [PMID: 37120037 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol exposure may lead to a condition known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which comprises a set of consequences, including cognitive and behavioral impairments. Although zebrafish has been applied as a reliable model for studying FASD, there is no approach to the disorder's ontogeny and population differences. Here, we evaluated the behavioral outcomes of AB, Outbred (OB), and Tübingen (TU) zebrafish populations embryonically exposed to alcohol throughout the development to the adult stage. We exposed 24hpf eggs to 0%, 0.5%, or 1.0% alcohol for 2h. Fish were let grow and locomotor and anxiety-like behaviors were tested in a novel tank at larval - 6dpf, juvenile - 45dpf, and adult- 90dpf stages. At 6dpf, both AB and OB treated with 1.0% alcohol showed hyperactivity, while 0.5% and 1.0% TU fish exhibited hypolocomotion. At 45dpf, AB and TU fish maintained the larval pattern of locomotion. At the adult stage - 90dpf, both AB and TU populations showed increased locomotor activity and anxiogenic responses, while the OB population did not show altered behavior. Our results show for the first time that zebrafish populations exhibit behavioral differences in response to embryonic alcohol exposure and that it varies along animals' ontogeny. AB fish showed the most consistent behavioral pattern through developmental stages, TU fish showed behavioral changes only in adulthood, and OB population showed high interindividual variability. These data reinforce that different populations of zebrafish are better adapted to translational studies, offering reliable results in contrast to domesticated OB populations obtained from farms, which exhibit more variable genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Agues-Barbosa
- Department of Physiology & Behavior, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - Augusto Monteiro de Souza
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Carolina Luchiari
- Department of Physiology & Behavior, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
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Kitson JE, Ord J, Watt PJ. Maternal Chronic Ethanol Exposure Decreases Stress Responses in Zebrafish Offspring. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081143. [PMID: 36009037 PMCID: PMC9405564 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, prenatal alcohol exposure can cause serious health issues in children, known collectively as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Despite the high prevalence of FASD and a lack of effective treatments, the underlying mechanisms causing the teratogenic action of ethanol are still obscure. The limitations of human studies necessitate the use of animal models for identifying the underlying processes, but few studies have investigated the effects of alcohol in the female germline. Here, we used the zebrafish Danio rerio to investigate the effects of chronic (repeated for seven days) exposure to alcohol. Specifically, we tested whether the offspring of females chronically exposed to ethanol during oogenesis exhibited hormonal abnormalities when subjected to a stressor (alarm cue) as larvae, and if they exhibited anxiety-like behaviours as adults. Exposure to alarm cue increased whole-body cortisol in control larvae but not in those of ethanol-treated females. Furthermore, adult offspring of ethanol-treated females showed some reduced anxiety-like behaviours. These findings suggest that the offspring of ethanol-treated females had reduced stress responses. This study is the first to investigate how maternal chronic ethanol exposure prior to fertilisation influences hormonal and behavioural effects in a non-rodent model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet E. Kitson
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - James Ord
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Penelope J. Watt
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Correspondence:
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Age-dependent effects of embryonic ethanol exposure on anxiety-like behaviours in young zebrafish: A genotype comparison study. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2022; 214:173342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2022.173342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Abozaid A, Hung J, Tsang B, Motlana K, Al-Ani R, Gerlai R. Behavioral effects of acute ethanol in larval zebrafish (D. rerio) depend on genotype and volume of experimental well. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 112:110411. [PMID: 34363865 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol consumption is a worldwide problem. Sensitivity to acute effects of ethanol influences the development of chronic ethanol abuse and ethanol dependence. Environmental and genetic factors have been found to contribute to differential effects of acute ethanol. Animal models have been employed to investigate these factors. An increasingly frequently utilized animal model in ethanol research is the zebrafish. A large proportion of ethanol studies with zebrafish have been conducted with adult zebrafish. However, high throughput drug and mutation screens are particularly well adapted to larval zebrafish. These studies are often carried out using the 96-well-plate that allows monitoring large numbers of fish efficiently. Here, we investigate the effects of acute (30 min long) ethanol exposure in 8-day post-fertilization (dpf) old zebrafish. We compare four genetically distinct populations (strains) of zebrafish, measuring numerous parameters of their swim path in two well sizes, i.e., in the 96-well-plate (small volume wells) and in the 6-well-plate (large volume wells). In general, we found that the highest dose of ethanol (1% vol/vol) reduced swim speed, increased duration of immobility, increased turn angle, and increased intra-individual variance of turn angle, while the intermediate dose (0.5%) had a less strong effect, compared to control. However, we also found that these ethanol effects were strain dependent and, in general, were better detected in the larger volume well. We conclude that larval zebrafish are appropriate for quantification of acute ethanol effects and also for the analysis of environmental and genetic factors that influence these effects. We also speculate that using larger wells will likely increase sensitivity of detection and precision in screening applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Abozaid
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Joshua Hung
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Keza Motlana
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Reem Al-Ani
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Suresh S, Abozaid A, Tsang B, Gerlai R. Exposure of parents to alcohol alters behavior of offspring in zebrafish. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110143. [PMID: 33096155 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholism and alcohol abuse represent a significant medical and societal problem, and have been thoroughly investigated in humans as well as using animal models. A less well understood aspect of alcohol related disorders is the possible effect of this drug on offspring whose parents were exposed prior to conception. The zebrafish has been successfully employed in alcohol research, however, the effect of exposing the parents to alcohol before fertilization of the eggs on offspring has not been demonstrated in this species. In this proof of concept study, we attempt to address this hiatus. We exposed both adult male and female zebrafish to 0.0% (control) or 0.5% (vol/vol) alcohol chronically for 7 days, subsequently bred the fish within their respective treatment group, collected the fertilized eggs, allowed them to develop, and tested the behavior of free-swimming offspring at their age of 7-9 days post-fertilization. We conducted the analysis in two genetically distinct quasi-inbred strains of zebrafish, AB and TL. Although gross morphology and general activity of the fish appeared unaffected, we found significant behavioral alterations in offspring of alcohol exposed parents compared to offspring of control parents in both strains. These alterations included robustly increased duration and reduced frequency of immobility, increased turn angle, and increased intra-individual variance of turn angle in offspring of alcohol exposed parents in both strains. The mechanisms underlying these behavioral effects or whether the effects are due to exposure of the father, the mother, or both to alcohol are unknown. Nevertheless, our results now set the stage for future studies with zebrafish that will address these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amira Abozaid
- Department of Cell & System Biology, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada; Department of Cell & System Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.
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12
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Oh SS, Moon JY, Chon D, Mita C, Lawrence JA, Park EC, Kawachi I. Are Digital Interventions Effective for Preventing Alcohol Consumption in Pregnancy?: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2021; 24:e35554. [PMID: 35404257 PMCID: PMC9039809 DOI: 10.2196/35554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Soyeon Oh
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Public Health, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Youn Moon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Artificial Intelligence and Big-Data Convergence Center, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Doukyoung Chon
- Center for Public Health, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Carol Mita
- Research and Instruction Services, Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jourdyn A Lawrence
- François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eun-Cheol Park
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Cararo JH, Rico EP. Long-lasting implications of embryonic exposure to alcohol: Insights from zebrafish research. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 82:29-40. [PMID: 34687497 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The harmful consumption of ethanol is associated with significant health problems and social burdens. This drug activates a complex network of reward mechanisms and habit formation learning that is supposed to contribute to the consumption of increasingly high and frequent amounts, ultimately leading to addiction. In the context of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a consequence of the harmful use of alcohol during pregnancy, which affects the embryonic development of the fetus. FAS can be easily reproduced in zebrafish by exposing the embryos to different concentrations of ethanol in water. In this regard, the aim of the present review is to discuss the late pathological implications in zebrafish exposed to ethanol at the embryonic stage, providing information in the context of human fetal alcoholic spectrum disorders. Experimental FAS in zebrafish is associated with impairments in the metabolic, morphological, neurochemical, behavioral, and cognitive domains. Many of the pathways that are affected by ethanol in zebrafish have at least one ortholog in humans, collaborating with the wider adoption of zebrafish in studies on alcohol disorders. In fact, zebrafish present validities required for the study of these conditions, which contributes to the use of this species in research, in addition to studies with rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Henrique Cararo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Pacheco Rico
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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14
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Chatterjee D, Mahabir S, Chatterjee D, Gerlai R. Lasting effects of mild embryonic ethanol exposure on voltage-gated ion channels in adult zebrafish brain. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110327. [PMID: 33864849 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is increasingly well utilized in alcohol research, particularly in modeling human fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD results from alcohol reaching the developing fetus intra utero, a completely preventable yet prevalent and devastating life-long disorder. The hope with animal models, including the zebrafish, is to discover the mechanisms underlying this disease, which may aid treatment and diagnosis. In the past, we developed an embryonic alcohol exposure regimen that is aimed at mimicking the milder, and most prevalent, forms of FASD in zebrafish. We have found numerous lasting alterations in behavior, neurochemistry, neuronal markers and glial cell phenotypes in this zebrafish FASD model. Using the same model (2 h long bath immersion of 24 h post-fertilization old zebrafish eggs into 1% vol/vol ethanol), here we conduct a proof of concept analysis of voltage-gated cation channels, investigating potential embryonic alcohol induced changes in L-, T- and N- type Ca++ and the SCN1A Na+ channels using Western blot followed by immunohistochemical analysis of the same channels in the pallium and cerebellum of the zebrafish brain. We report significant reduction of expression in all four channel proteins using both methods. We conclude that reduced voltage-gated cation channel expression induced by short and low dose exposure to alcohol during embryonic development of zebrafish may contribute to the previously demonstrated lasting behavioral and neurobiological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha Mahabir
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
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15
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Ariyasiri K, Choi TI, Gerlai R, Kim CH. Acute ethanol induces behavioral changes and alters c-fos expression in specific brain regions, including the mammillary body, in zebrafish. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 109:110264. [PMID: 33545226 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the world, and ethanol abuse and dependence disorders represent major societal problems. However, appropriate treatment is lacking as we still do not fully understand the molecular bases of these disorders. The zebrafish is one of the model organisms utilized for studying such mechanisms. In this study, we examined the effects of acute ethanol administration on the behavior of zebrafish, and we also analyzed correlated gene expression changes using whole-mount in situ hybridization focusing on a number of genes associated with different neurotransmitter systems, stress response, and neuronal activity. We found ethanol treatment to result in hyperactivity and reduced shoal cohesion compared to control. Analysis of c-fos expression demonstrated altered activity patterns in certain brain regions, including intense activation of the mammillary body in zebrafish with acute ethanol treatment. We also found reduced level of gad1b expression in the cerebellum of ethanol treated fish compared to control. However, we could not detect significant changes in the expression level of other genes, including vglut2b, th, crh, hdc, avp, pomc, and galn in ethanol treated fish compared controls. Our results suggest that zebrafish is a promising animal model for the study of mechanisms underlying alcohol induced behavioral changes and alcohol related human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Ariyasiri
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Tae-Ik Choi
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada.
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea.
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16
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Facciol A, Gerlai R. Zebrafish Shoaling, Its Behavioral and Neurobiological Mechanisms, and Its Alteration by Embryonic Alcohol Exposure: A Review. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:572175. [PMID: 33100980 PMCID: PMC7546311 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.572175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Social cognition and social behaviors are complex phenomena that involve numerous brain areas and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Embryonic alcohol exposure may lead to the development of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a disorder that manifests with varying symptoms including abnormal social behavior and other cognitive deficits. Animal models have been utilized to mimic aspects of the disease and to study potential underlying mechanisms. The zebrafish is a relative newcomer in this field but has been suggested as an optimal compromise between system complexity and practical simplicity for modeling FASD. Importantly, due to external fertilization and development of the embryo outside the mother and subsequent lack of parental care, this species allows precise control of the timing and dose of alcohol delivery during embryonic development. Furthermore, the zebrafish is a highly social species and thus may be particularly appropriate for the analysis of embryonic alcohol-induced alterations in this context. Here, we provide a succinct review focusing on shoaling, a prominent form of social behavior, in zebrafish. We summarize what is known about its behavioral mechanisms and underlying neurobiological processes, and how it is altered by exposure to ethanol during embryonic development. Lastly, we briefly consider possible future directions of research that would help us better understand the relationship between the behavioral expression and molecular basis of embryonic ethanol-induced social deficits in fish and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Facciol
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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17
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Abozaid A, Trzuskot L, Najmi Z, Paul I, Tsang B, Gerlai R. Developmental stage and genotype dependent behavioral effects of embryonic alcohol exposure in zebrafish larvae. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 97:109774. [PMID: 31655157 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) represent a worldwide problem. The severity and types of symptoms of FASD vary, which may be due to the genotype of the fetus and the developmental stage at which the fetus is exposed to alcohol. The most prevalent forms of FASD present less severe symptoms, including behavioral and cognitive abnormalities, and arise from exposure to low amounts of alcohol consumed infrequently. Treating or diagnosing FASD patients has been difficult because we do not understand the mechanisms underlying FASD. Animal models, including the zebrafish, have been suggested to answer this question. Here, we present a proof of concept analysis studying the behavioral effects of embryonic alcohol exposure in one-week old juvenile zebrafish. We exposed zebrafish embryos at one of five developmental stages (8, 16, 24, 32, or 40 hour post-fertilization) to 0% (control) or 1% (vol/vol) ethanol for 2 h, and tested the behavior of these fish at their age of 7-9 days post-fertilization. We employed two genetically distinct zebrafish populations, a quasi-inbred AB derivative strain, and a genetically variable WT population. We report significant developmental time and genotype dependent effects of alcohol on certain measures of motor function and/or anxiety-like responses. For example, we found embryonic alcohol exposed AB fish to swim faster, vary their speed more, stop moving more often and turn less compared to control fish, alcohol induced changes that were absent or less robust in WT fish. We conclude that our results open new avenues to the identification of genetic mechanisms that mediate or influence alcohol induced developmental alteration of brain function and behavior, which, on the long run, may allow us to identify diagnostic biomarkers and treatment options for human FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Abozaid
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Lidia Trzuskot
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Zelaikha Najmi
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Ishti Paul
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada; Department of Cell & System Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.
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18
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Geng Y, Peterson RT. The zebrafish subcortical social brain as a model for studying social behavior disorders. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm039446. [PMID: 31413047 PMCID: PMC6737945 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Social behaviors are essential for the survival and reproduction of social species. Many, if not most, neuropsychiatric disorders in humans are either associated with underlying social deficits or are accompanied by social dysfunctions. Traditionally, rodent models have been used to model these behavioral impairments. However, rodent assays are often difficult to scale up and adapt to high-throughput formats, which severely limits their use for systems-level science. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have used zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model system to study social behavior. These studies have demonstrated clear potential in overcoming some of the limitations of rodent models. In this Review, we explore the evolutionary conservation of a subcortical social brain between teleosts and mammals as the biological basis for using zebrafish to model human social behavior disorders, while summarizing relevant experimental tools and assays. We then discuss the recent advances gleaned from zebrafish social behavior assays, the applications of these assays to studying related disorders, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie Geng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, 30 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Randall T Peterson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, 30 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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19
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Cazorla-Vázquez S, Steingruber M, Marschall M, Engel FB. Human cytomegaloviral multifunctional protein kinase pUL97 impairs zebrafish embryonic development and increases mortality. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7219. [PMID: 31076608 PMCID: PMC6510723 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43649-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus is a worldwide-distributed human pathogen, which is the leading cause of congenital virus infection, affecting 0.5 to 2% of live births. To date, it is largely unclear which molecular mechanisms underlie the symptomatic outcomes. This is mainly due to species specificity and limited homology among cytomegalovirus genomes. As it is not possible to infect model organisms with human cytomegalovirus, the aim of this study was to develop a heterologous system allowing in the future the elucidation of the pathological role of individual viral proteins. As a model organism the zebrafish has been chosen due to its ease of manipulation and characterization as well as its large offspring. As cytomegalovirus model protein, pUL97 was characterized because it is multiply involved in virus-host interaction. Here, we show in zebrafish embryos, that (i) pUL97 can be expressed in zebrafish, (ii) increasing pUL97 expression levels quantitatively correlate with both minor and major pathological defects, (iii) pUL97 expression impairs cell cycle progression and induces cell death, (iv) active pUL97, but not an inactive mutant, induces excess mortality, and (v) co-administration of a pUL97 inhibitor reduces embryonic pathology. Collectively, these data indicate the suitability of zebrafish to elucidate the pathological role of human cytomegaloviral proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Cazorla-Vázquez
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mirjam Steingruber
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Marschall
- Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schlossgarten 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felix B Engel
- Experimental Renal and Cardiovascular Research, Department of Nephropathology, Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schwabachanlage 12, 91052, Erlangen, Germany.
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20
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Tsang B, Ansari R, Gerlai R. Dose dependent behavioral effects of acute alcohol administration in zebrafish fry. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 179:124-133. [PMID: 30807782 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is becoming increasingly utilized in behavioral neuroscience as it appears to strike a good compromise between practical simplicity and system complexity. Particularly in alcohol (ethanol) research, the zebrafish has been employed as a translationally relevant model organism. However, the majority of studies investigating the effects of alcohol on brain function and behavior has used adult zebrafish. In the current study, we utilize 6-8 post-fertilization day old larval zebrafish (fry) to investigate the effects of a 40 min-long, acute, immersion into the alcohol bath. We measure the behavioral responses of the fry during the immersion session in relatively large arenas, the petri dish, instead of the often employed 96 well plate, and report on significant modification of behavior induced by alcohol. For example, we found the intermediate dose of alcohol (0.5%, vol/vol) to exert a stimulant effect manifesting as slight elevation of swim speed, robust increase of turning, temporal variability of swim speed and turning, and diminished frequency of staying immobile. We also found the high dose of 1% alcohol to elicit an opposite response, a sedative effect. This biphasic dose response of alcohol mimics what has been found in mammals, including humans, and thus we conclude that a few day-old zebrafish fry may be a cost effective and efficient tool with which one can screen for small molecules or mutations with alcohol-effect modifying properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Rida Ansari
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.
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21
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Zebrafish models of epigenetic regulation of CNS functions. Brain Res Bull 2018; 142:344-351. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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22
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Soares MC, Gerlai R, Maximino C. The integration of sociality, monoamines and stress neuroendocrinology in fish models: applications in the neurosciences. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2018; 93:170-191. [PMID: 30043474 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Animal-focused research has been crucial for scientific advancement, but rodents are still taking a starring role. Starting as merely supporting evidence found in rodents, the use of fish models has slowly taken a more central role and expanded its overall contributions in areas such as social sciences, evolution, physiology and recently in translational medical research. In the neurosciences, zebrafish Danio rerio have been widely adopted, contributing to our understanding of the genetic control of brain processes and the effects of pharmacological manipulations. However, discussion continues regarding the paradox of function versus structure, when fishes and mammals are compared and on the potentially evolutionarily conserved nature of behaviour across fish species. From a behavioural standpoint, we explore aversive-stress and social behaviour in selected fish models and refer to the extensive contributions of stress and monoaminergic systems. We suggest that, in spite of marked neuroanatomical differences between fishes and mammals, stress and sociality are conserved at the behavioural and molecular levels. We also suggest that stress and sociality are mediated by monoamines in predictable and non-trivial ways and that monoamines could bridge the relationship between stress and social behaviour. To reconcile the level of divergence with the level of similarity, we need neuroanatomical, pharmacological, behavioural and ecological studies conducted in the laboratory and in nature. These areas need to add to each other to enhance our understanding of fish behaviour and ultimately how this all may lead to better model systems for translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta C Soares
- Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos - CIBIO, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Caio Maximino
- Laboratório de Neurociências e Comportamento 'Frederico Guilherme Graeff', Instituto de Estudos em Saúde e Biológicas - IESB, Universidade Federal do Sul e Sudeste do Pará, Marabá, Brazil
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23
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Nash K, Stevens S, Clairman H, Rovet J. Preliminary Findings that a Targeted Intervention Leads to Altered Brain Function in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2017; 8:brainsci8010007. [PMID: 29283403 PMCID: PMC5789338 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) exhibit behavioral dysregulation, executive dysfunction, and atypical function in associated brain regions. Previous research shows early intervention mitigates these outcomes but corresponding brain changes were not studied. Given the Alert® Program for Self-Regulation improves behavioral regulation and executive function in children with FASD, we asked if this therapy also improves their neural functioning in associated regions. Twenty-one children with FASD aged 8–12 years were randomized to the Alert®-treatment (TXT; n = 10) or waitlist-control (WL; n = 11) conditions. They were assessed with a Go-NoGo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm before and after training or the wait-out period. Groups initially performed equivalently and showed no fMRI differences. At post-test, TXT outperformed WL on NoGo trials while fMRI in uncorrected results with a small-volume correction showed less activation in prefrontal, temporal, and cingulate regions. Groups also demonstrated different patterns of change over time reflecting reduced signal at post-test in selective prefrontal and parietal regions in TXT and increased in WL. In light of previous evidence indicating TXT at post-test perform similar to non-exposed children on the Go-NoGo fMRI paradigm, our findings suggest Alert® does improve functional integrity in the neural circuitry for behavioral regulation in children with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Nash
- Psychiatry Department, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G1X8, Canada.
| | - Sara Stevens
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON M4G1R8, Canada.
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON M4G1R8, Canada.
| | - Hayyah Clairman
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G1A0, Canada.
| | - Joanne Rovet
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G1A0, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G1X8, Canada.
- Psychology Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G3, Canada.
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