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Santos LW, Canzian J, Resmim CM, Fontana BD, Rosemberg DB. Contextual fear conditioning in zebrafish: Influence of different shock frequencies, context, and pharmacological modulation on behavior. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024:107963. [PMID: 39059760 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2024.107963] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Contextual fear conditioning is a protocol used to assess associative learning across species, including fish. Here, our goal is to expand the analysis of behavioral parameters that may reflect aversive behaviors in a contextual fear conditioning protocol using adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) and to verify how such parameters can be modulated. First, we analyzed the influence of an aversive stimulus (3 mild electric shocks for 5 s each at frequencies of 10, 100 or 1000 Hz) on fish behavior, and their ability to elicit fear responses in the absence of shock during a test session. To confirm whether the aversive responses are context-dependent, behaviors were also measured in a different experimental environment than the test session. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of dizocilpine (MK-801, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) on fear-related responses. Zebrafish showed significant changes in baseline activity immediately after shock exposure in the training session, in which 100 Hz induced robust contextual fear responses during the testing session. Importantly, when introduced to a different environment, animals exposed to the aversive stimulus did not show any differences in locomotor parameters including immobility-related parameters. MK-801 administered after the training session reduced fear responses during the test, indicating that glutamate NMDA-receptors can be relevant for the consolidation of contextual fear-related memory in zebrafish. In conclusion, by further exploring fear-related behaviors in a contextual fear conditioning task, we show the effects of different shock frequencies and confirm the importance of context on aversive responses for associative learning in zebrafish. Additionally, our data support the use of zebrafish in contextual fear conditioning tasks, as well as for advancing pharmacological studies related to associative learning in translational neurobehavioral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura W Santos
- 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
| | - Julia Canzian
- 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; 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
| | - Cássio M Resmim
- 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; 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
| | - Barbara D Fontana
- 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; 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.
| | - Denis B 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; 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; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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Carpenter RE, Sabirzhanov B, Summers TR, Clark TG, Keifer J, Summers CH. Anxiolytic reversal of classically conditioned / chronic stress-induced gene expression and learning in the Stress Alternatives Model. Behav Brain Res 2023; 440:114258. [PMID: 36521572 PMCID: PMC9872777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114258] [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: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Social decision-making is critically influenced by neurocircuitries that regulate stress responsiveness. Adaptive choices, therefore, are altered by stress-related neuromodulatory peptide systems, such as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Experimental designs that take advantage of ecologically salient fear-inducing stimuli allow for revelation of neural mechanisms that regulate the balance between pro- and anti-stress responsiveness. To accomplish this, we developed a social stress and conditioning protocol, the Stress Alternatives Model (SAM), that utilizes a simple dichotomous choice, and produces distinctive behavioral phenotypes (Escape or Stay). The experiments involve repeated social aggression, a potent unconditioned stimulus (US), from a novel larger conspecific (a 3X larger Rainbow trout). Prior to the social interaction, the smaller test fish is presented with an auditory conditioning stimulus (water off = CS). During the social aggression, an escape route is available, but is only large enough for the smaller test animal. Surprisingly, although the new aggressor provides vigorous attacks each day, only 50% of the test fish choose Escape. Stay fish, treated with the CRF1 antagonist antalarmin, a potent anxiolytic drug, on day 4, promotes Escape behavior for the last 4 days of the SAM protocol. The results suggest that the decision to Escape, required a reduction in stress reactivity. The Stay fish that chose Escape following anxiolytic treatment, learned how to use the escape route prior to stress reduction, as the Escape latency in these fish was significantly faster than first time escapers. In Escape fish, the use of the escape route is learned over several days, reducing the Escape latency over time in the SAM. Fear conditioning (water off + aggression) resulted in elevated hippocampal (DL) Bdnf mRNA levels, with coincident reduction in the AMPA receptor subunit Glua1 expression, a result that is reversed following a one-time treatment (during SAM aggression on day 4) with the anxiolytic CRF1 receptor antagonist antalarmin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russ E Carpenter
- University Writing Program, University of California Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Boris Sabirzhanov
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, 8901 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
| | - Tangi R Summers
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Timothy G Clark
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Joyce Keifer
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Cliff H Summers
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA.
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Samaras A, Pavlidis M. Behavioural and physiological responses to a conditioning protocol for adult zebrafish, Danio rerio, held in groups. Behav Processes 2020; 179:104201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Faria RS, Bereta ÁLB, Reis GHT, Santos LBB, Pereira MSG, Cortez PJO, Dias EV, Moreira DAR, Trzesniak C, Sartori CR. Effects of swimming exercise on the extinction of fear memory in rats. J Neurophysiol 2018; 120:2649-2653. [PMID: 30230992 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00586.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relation between swimming exercise and fear memory extinction. Rats that performed regular swimming exercise over 6 wk underwent fear conditioning. Twenty-eight days later, they were submitted to extinction tests. Swimming rats had enhanced extinction process throughout the 5 days of the extinction test compared with sedentary rats. This suggests that the swimming exercise accelerated the process of aversive memory extinction, reducing the expression of conditioned fear behavior. These results encourage further studies addressing the anxiolytic effects of exercise, with potential implications for anxiety disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have shown that rats that performed regular swimming exercise over 6 wk had enhanced extinction process compared with sedentary animals. The swimming exercise may accelerate the process of aversive memory extinction, reducing the expression of conditioned fear behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Elayne Vieira Dias
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas , Campinas , Brazil
| | | | - Clarissa Trzesniak
- Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Itajubá, Itajubá, Brazil
| | - Cesar Renato Sartori
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas , Campinas , Brazil
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Pramanik S, Sulistio YA, Heese K. Neurotrophin Signaling and Stem Cells-Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Stem Cell Therapy. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:7401-7459. [PMID: 27815842 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0214-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) are members of a neuronal growth factor protein family whose action is mediated by the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) receptor family receptors and the p75 NT receptor (p75NTR), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Although NTs were first discovered in neurons, recent studies have suggested that NTs and their receptors are expressed in various types of stem cells mediating pivotal signaling events in stem cell biology. The concept of stem cell therapy has already attracted much attention as a potential strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Strikingly, NTs, proNTs, and their receptors are gaining interest as key regulators of stem cells differentiation, survival, self-renewal, plasticity, and migration. In this review, we elaborate the recent progress in understanding of NTs and their action on various stem cells. First, we provide current knowledge of NTs, proNTs, and their receptor isoforms and signaling pathways. Subsequently, we describe recent advances in the understanding of NT activities in various stem cells and their role in NDs, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Finally, we compile the implications of NTs and stem cells from a clinical perspective and discuss the challenges with regard to transplantation therapy for treatment of AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Yanuar Alan Sulistio
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Klaus Heese
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
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Faria RS, Gutierres LFS, Sobrinho FCF, Miranda IDV, Reis JD, Dias EV, Sartori CR, Moreira DAR. Effects of the swimming exercise on the consolidation and persistence of auditory and contextual fear memory. Neurosci Lett 2016; 628:147-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Molecular regulation of synaptogenesis during associative learning and memory. Brain Res 2014; 1621:239-51. [PMID: 25485772 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Revised: 11/24/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Synaptogenesis plays a central role in associative learning and memory. The biochemical pathways that underlie synaptogenesis are complex and incompletely understood. Nevertheless, research has so far identified three conceptually distinct routes to synaptogenesis: cell-cell contact mediated by adhesion proteins, cell-cell biochemical signaling from astrocytes and other cells, and neuronal signaling through classical ion channels and cell surface receptors. The cell adhesion pathways provide the physical substrate to the new synaptic connection, while cell-cell signaling may provide a global or regional signal, and the activity-dependent pathways provide the neuronal specificity that is required for the new synapses to produce functional neuronal networks capable of storing associative memories. These three aspects of synaptogenesis require activation of a variety of interacting biochemical pathways that converge on the actin cytoskeleton and strengthen the synapse in an information-dependent manner. This article is part of a Special Issue titled SI: Brain and Memory.
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