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Kuroda T, Ritchey CM, Podlesnik CA. Selective effects of conspecific movement on social preference in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using real-time 3D tracking and 3D animation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10502. [PMID: 37380673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37579-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish show social behavior such as shoaling and schooling, which is a result of complex and interdependent interactions among conspecifics. Zebrafish social behavior is interdependent in the sense that one fish's behavior affects both conspecific behavior and, as a result, their own behavior. Previous research examined effects of the interdependent interactions on the preference for social stimulus but lacked clear evidence that specific conspecific movements were reinforcing. The present research examined whether dependency between individual experimental fish's motion and a social-stimulus fish's motions contributes to preference for the social stimulus. In Experiment 1, a 3D animated stimulus fish either chased individual experimental fish or was motionless, serving as dependent and independent motions, respectively. In Experiment 2, the stimulus fish either chased experimental fish, moved away, or moved independently of the experimental fish. In both experiments, experimental fish spent more time near the stimulus fish showing dependent and interactive movements, indicating preference for dependent motion over independent motion, and chasing over other motions. Implications of these results are discussed including a potential role of operant conditioning in the preference for social stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshikazu Kuroda
- Huckle Co., Ltd., 2-51 Shiroki, Chikusa, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-0846, Japan.
- Aichi Bunkyo University, 5969-3 Okusa, Komaki, Aichi, 485-8565, Japan.
- Department of Dynamic Brain Imaging, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International, 2-2-2 Hikaridai Seika-cho, Kyoto, 619-0288, Japan.
| | | | - Christopher A Podlesnik
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Dr., P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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Zebrafish automatic monitoring system for conditioning and behavioral analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9330. [PMID: 33927213 PMCID: PMC8085222 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies using zebrafish (Danio rerio) in neuro-behavioural research are growing. Measuring fish behavior by computational methods is one of the most efficient ways to avoid human bias in experimental analyses, extending them to various approaches. Sometimes, thorough analyses are difficult to do, as fish can behave unpredictably during an experimental strategy. However, the analyses can be implemented in an automated way, using an online strategy and video processing for a complete assessment of the zebrafish behavior, based on the detection and tracking of fish during an activity. Here, a fully automatic conditioning and detailed analysis of zebrafish behavior is presented. Microcontrolled components were used to control the delivery of visual and sound stimuli, in addition to the concise amounts of food after conditioned stimuli for adult zebrafish groups in a conventional tank. The images were captured and processed for automatic detection of the fish, and the training of the fish was done in two evaluation strategies: simple and complex. In simple conditioning, the zebrafish showed significant responses from the second attempt, learning that the conditioned stimulus was a predictor of food presentation in a specific space of the tank, where the food was dumped. When the fish were subjected to two stimuli for decision-making in the food reward, the zebrafish obtained better responses to red light stimuli in relation to vibration. The behavior change was clear in stimulated fish in relation to the control group, thus, the distances traveled and the speed were greater, while the polarization was lower in stimulated fish. This automated system allows for the conditioning and assessment of zebrafish behavior online, with greater stability in experiments, and in the analysis of the behavior of individual fish or fish schools, including learning and memory studies.
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Doyle JM, Merovitch N, Wyeth RC, Stoyek MR, Schmidt M, Wilfart F, Fine A, Croll RP. A simple automated system for appetitive conditioning of zebrafish in their home tanks. Behav Brain Res 2016; 317:444-452. [PMID: 27659557 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We describe here an automated apparatus that permits rapid conditioning paradigms for zebrafish. Arduino microprocessors were used to control the delivery of auditory or visual stimuli to groups of adult or juvenile zebrafish in their home tanks in a conventional zebrafish facility. An automatic feeder dispensed precise amounts of food immediately after the conditioned stimuli, or at variable delays for controls. Responses were recorded using inexpensive cameras, with the video sequences analysed with ImageJ or Matlab. Fish showed significant conditioned responses in as few as 5 trials, learning that the conditioned stimulus was a predictor of food presentation at the water surface and at the end of the tank where the food was dispensed. Memories of these conditioned associations persisted for at least 2days after training when fish were tested either as groups or as individuals. Control fish, for which the auditory or visual stimuli were specifically unpaired with food, showed no comparable responses. This simple, low-cost, automated system permits scalable conditioning of zebrafish with minimal human intervention, greatly reducing both variability and labour-intensiveness. It will be useful for studies of the neural basis of learning and memory, and for high-throughput screening of compounds modifying those processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian M Doyle
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Neil Merovitch
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Russell C Wyeth
- Department of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, Canada
| | - Matthew R Stoyek
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Michael Schmidt
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Florentin Wilfart
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain Management and Perioperative Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Alan Fine
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Roger P Croll
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Bailey JM, Oliveri AN, Levin ED. Pharmacological analyses of learning and memory in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 139 Pt B:103-11. [PMID: 25792292 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become valuable as a complementary model in behavioral pharmacology, opening a new avenue for understanding the relationships between drug action and behavior. This species offers a useful intermediate approach bridging the gap between in vitro studies and traditional mammalian models. Zebrafish offer great advantages of economy compared to their rodent counterparts, their complex brains and behavioral repertoire offer great translational potential relative to in vitro models. The development and validation of a variety of tests to measure behavior, including cognition, in zebrafish have set the stage for the use of this animal for behavioral pharmacology studies. This has led to research into the basic mechanisms of cognitive function as well as screening for potential cognition-improving drug therapies, among other lines of research. As with all models, zebrafish have limitations, which span pharmacokinetic challenges to difficulties quantifying behavior. The use, efficacy and limitations associated with a zebrafish model of cognitive function are discussed in this review, within the context of behavioral pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Bailey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Anthony N Oliveri
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Edward D Levin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Fernandes Y, Talpos A, Gerlai R. Towards the characterization of short-term memory of zebrafish: effect of fixed versus random reward location. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 56:189-95. [PMID: 25260259 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2014] [Revised: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish has been proposed as an efficient tool for the analysis of behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms of learning and memory. However, compared to traditional laboratory rodents, it is a relatively newcomer. In fact, only limited information on its mnemonic and cognitive abilities has been obtained, and only a small number of learning and memory paradigms have been available for its testing. Previously, we have shown that zebrafish are capable of learning the systematic alternating sequence of reward location in a shuttle box task in which we evaluated behavioral responses manually. Here, we employ a computerized, automated version of this task. We study whether zebrafish can remember the prior location of a reward (the sight of conspecifics) when the location is fixed (constant), or when the sequence of the location of presentation randomly changes between the left and the right side of the experimental tank. We also analyze performance features including the swim speed of experimental fish as well as the temporal changes of the position of fish when the reward (stimulus) is not presented. Our results show that under both the fixed and randomly changing reward location conditions zebrafish exhibit a significant preference for the prior location of reward, albeit the preference is stronger under the fixed location condition. We conclude that adult zebrafish have short-term associative memory that can be induced and quantified in an automated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohaan Fernandes
- Department of Cell & System Biology, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Andrea Talpos
- 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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Blaser R, Vira D. Experiments on learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio): A promising model of neurocognitive function. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 42:224-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Cheng RK, Jesuthasan SJ, Penney TB. Zebrafish forebrain and temporal conditioning. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2014; 369:20120462. [PMID: 24446496 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2012.0462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The rise of zebrafish as a neuroscience research model organism, in conjunction with recent progress in single-cell resolution whole-brain imaging of larval zebrafish, opens a new window of opportunity for research on interval timing. In this article, we review zebrafish neuroanatomy and neuromodulatory systems, with particular focus on identifying homologies between the zebrafish forebrain and the mammalian forebrain. The neuroanatomical and neurochemical basis of interval timing is summarized with emphasis on the potential of using zebrafish to reveal the neural circuits for interval timing. The behavioural repertoire of larval zebrafish is reviewed and we demonstrate that larval zebrafish are capable of expecting a stimulus at a precise time point with minimal training. In conclusion, we propose that interval timing research using zebrafish and whole-brain calcium imaging at single-cell resolution will contribute to our understanding of how timing and time perception originate in the vertebrate brain from the level of single cells to circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruey-Kuang Cheng
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, , A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, #08-13 Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
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