Automatic quantification of juvenile zebrafish aggression

Gutiérrez, Héctor Carreño; Vacca, Irene; Pons, Anna Inguanzo; Norton, William

doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.12.012

Cited by 29 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 48 publications

(76 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The altered behavioural phenotype of adult hrh3 −/− fish and brain region‐specific differences in hrh3 expression between larvae and adults 25 raises the question whether larval hrh3 mutant fish show similar behavioural alterations. Larval zebrafish do not display aggressive‐like behaviour before 30 dpf, 31 however, assays to measure locomotion and anxiety‐like behaviour in early life stages have been established 32 . When tested in the larval unstimulated locomotion assay, we found that hrh3 −/− larvae move less than age‐matched WTs ( U = 45.0; P = .004; Figure 5A).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study we show for the first time that genetic and pharmacological manipulation of the Hrh3 receptor reduces aggression in the MIA test. This assay makes use of the fact that zebrafish do not recognize their own mirror image and fight it 31 . Similar to real fights, zebrafish attack and bite the mirror opponent, but there is no risk of harm which favours this test over dyadic fights from an ethical perspective.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The zebrafish histamine H3 receptor modulates aggression, neural activity and forebrain functional connectivity

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aim Aggression is a behavioural trait characterized by the intention to harm others for offensive or defensive purposes. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are important mediators of aggression. However, the physiological role of the histaminergic system during this behaviour is currently unclear. Here, we aimed to better understand histaminergic signalling during aggression by characterizing the involvement of the histamine H3 receptor (Hrh3). Methods We have generated a novel zebrafish Hrh3 null mutant line using CRISPR‐Cas9 genome engineering and investigated behavioural changes and alterations to neural activity using whole brain Ca2+ imaging in zebrafish larvae and ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) immunohistochemistry in adults. Results We show that genetic inactivation of the histamine H3 receptor (Hrh3) reduces aggression in zebrafish, an effect that can be reproduced by pharmacological inhibition. In addition, hrh3−/− zebrafish show behavioural impairments consistent with heightened anxiety. Larval in vivo whole brain Ca2+ imaging reveals higher neuronal activity in the forebrain of mutants, but lower activity in specific hindbrain areas and changes in measures of functional connectivity between subregions. Adult hrh3−/− zebrafish display brain region‐specific neural activity changes in response to aggression of both key regions of the social decision‐making network, and the areas containing histaminergic neurons in the zebrafish brain. Conclusion These results highlight the importance of zebrafish Hrh3 signalling for aggression and anxiety and uncover the brain areas involved. Targeting this receptor might be a potential novel therapeutic route for human conditions characterized by heightened aggression.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The zebrafish histamine H3 receptor modulates aggression, neural activity and forebrain functional connectivity

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studying experimental impulsivity and other ICD‐related traits is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary field that integrates neurobehavioral processes at multiple levels of analysis to improve our understanding of these severely debilitating and disruptive illnesses (Rochat, Billieux, Gagnon, & Van der Linden, 2018; Winstanley, Olausson, Taylor, & Jentsch, 2010). The zebrafish emerges as an important novel sensitive animal model organism that enables assessing impulsivity, aggression and locomotion in both larval and adult fish (Carreño Gutiérrez, Vacca, Pons, & Norton, 2018; Parker, Ife, et al, 2013). Sex is another biological variable that can strongly influence zebrafish ICD‐related traits, such as aggressive behavior and locomotor activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Automated protocols (e.g., 5‐CSRTT and other tasks listed in Table 2) and multiple commercial or open‐access software tools for behavioral assessment in zebrafish enable continuous monitoring of various impulsive and aggressive phenotypes discussed above (Carreño Gutiérrez et al., 2018; Parker, Ife, et al, 2013). Using the 5‐CSRTT, for example, to screen for the effects of novel or repurposed drug compounds, may contribute to development of new therapies for ICDs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zebrafish models of impulsivity and impulse control disorders

Abreu

Giacomini

Genário

et al. 2020

Eur J of Neuroscience

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) are characterized by generalized difficulty controlling emotions and behaviors. ICDs are a broad group of the central nervous system (CNS) disorders including conduct disorder, intermittent explosive, oppositional‐defiant disorder, antisocial personality disorder, kleptomania, pyromania and other illnesses. Although they all share a common feature (aberrant impulsivity), their pathobiology is complex and poorly understood. There are also currently no ICD‐specific therapies to treat these illnesses. Animal models are a valuable tool for studying ICD pathobiology and potential therapies. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a useful model organism to study CNS disorders due to high genetic and physiological homology to mammals, and sensitivity to various pharmacological and genetic manipulations. Here, we summarize experimental models of impulsivity and ICD in zebrafish and highlight their growing translational significance. We also emphasize the need for further development of zebrafish ICD models to improve our understanding of their pathogenesis and to search for novel therapeutic treatments.

show abstract

“…This could mean that the aggression and shoaling phenotype are separate entities, or that there is a different basis of social behaviour in juvenile and adult fish. For example, the neural circuits that control shoaling may mature earlier than those that underpin aggression permitting the social phenotype to be expressed more precociously 45,46 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endothelin neurotransmitter signalling controls zebrafish social behaviour

Gutiérrez

Colanesi

Cooper

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The formation of social groups is an adaptive behaviour that can provide protection from predators, improve foraging and facilitate social learning. However, the costs of proximity can include competition for resources, aggression and kleptoparasitism meaning that the decision whether to interact represents a trade-off. Here we show that zebrafish harbouring a mutation in endothelin receptor aa ( ednraa ) form less cohesive shoals than wild-types. ednraa −/− mutants exhibit heightened aggression and decreased whole-body cortisol levels suggesting that they are dominant. These behavioural changes correlate with a reduction of parvocellular arginine vasopressin (AVP)-positive neurons in the preoptic area, an increase in the size of magnocellular AVP neurons and a higher concentration of 5-HT and dopamine in the brain. Manipulation of AVP or 5-HT signalling can rescue the shoaling phenotype of ednraa −/− providing an insight into how the brain controls social interactions.

show abstract

Automatic quantification of juvenile zebrafish aggression

Abstract: This setup appears to be suitable to screen for drugs that decrease zebrafish aggression as a first step toward developing novel treatments for this behaviour.

Cited by 29 publications

References 48 publications

The zebrafish histamine H3 receptor modulates aggression, neural activity and forebrain functional connectivity

The zebrafish histamine H3 receptor modulates aggression, neural activity and forebrain functional connectivity

Zebrafish models of impulsivity and impulse control disorders

Endothelin neurotransmitter signalling controls zebrafish social behaviour

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About