title: Modeling PTSD in the zebrafish: are we there yet?
abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that can develop following one or more traumatic events that threaten one's safety or make the victim feel helpless. Currently there are an increasing number of cases in the population in part due to the number of soldiers returning from combat. The disorder is characterized by symptoms that include hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, social and cognitive degradation, and memory flashbacks. Most of the research has been centered on the human and rodent as subjects but recently another viable contender has emerged - the zebrafish (Danio rerio). The zebrafish is a strong comparative model with the ability to exhibit a wide variety of behaviors, complex learning, and neurobiological changes that can be extrapolated to the human condition. The zebrafish is an ideal organism to study pharmacological treatments as well as the neurological underpinnings of the disorder. Here we review a sampling of the human and rodent model literature on post-traumatic stress disorder focusing on symptomology, current treatments, and stress paradigms. We also make the argument for the inclusion of the zebrafish model in future studies investigating the causes, symptoms, and treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Box 5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. Electronic address: Erika.caramillo@eagles.usm.edu.
authors.forename: Erika M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Caramillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Box 5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. Electronic address: Kanza.khan@eagles.usm.edu.
authors.forename: Kanza M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Box 5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. Electronic address: Adam.d.collier@eagles.usm.edu.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, Box 5025, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. Electronic address: David.Echevarria@usm.edu.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Echevarria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D015027:Zebrafish
keywords: Anxiety; Model; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Zebrafish