Developing 'integrative' zebrafish models of behavioral and metabolic disorders.
Recently, the pathophysiological overlap between metabolic and mental disorders has received increased recognition. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly becoming a popular model organism for translational biomedical research due to their genetic tractability, low cost, quick reproductive cycle, and ease of behavioral, pharmacological or genetic manipulation. High homology to mammalian physiology and the availability of well-developed assays also make the zebrafish an attractive organism for studying human disorders. Zebrafish neurobehavioral and endocrine phenotypes show promise for the use of zebrafish in studies of stress, obesity and related behavioral and metabolic disorders. Here, we discuss the parallels between zebrafish and other model species in stress and obesity physiology, as well as outline the available zebrafish models of weight gain, metabolic deficits, feeding, stress, anxiety and related behavioral disorders. Overall, zebrafish demonstrate a strong potential for modeling human behavioral and metabolic disorders, and their comorbidity.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22312, USA.
Michael
M
Nguyen
Ester
E
Yang
Nikhil
N
Neelkantan
Alina
A
Mikhaylova
Raymond
R
Arnold
Manoj K
MK
Poudel
Adam Michael
AM
Stewart
Allan V
AV
Kalueff
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000502:physiology*
Comorbidity; Metabolic disorders; Neurobehavioral disorders; Obesity; Stress; Zebrafish models