Development and implementation of a three-choice serial reaction time task for zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Zebrafish are an established and widely utilized developmental genetic model system, but limitations in developed behavioral assays have meant that their potential as a model in behavioral neuroscience has yet to be fully realized. Here, we describe the development of a novel operant behavioral assay to examine a variety of aspects of stimulus control in zebrafish using a 3 choice serial reaction time task (3 CSRTT). Fish were briefly exposed to three spatially distinct, but perceptually identical stimuli, presented in a random order after a fixed-time inter-trial interval (ITI). Entries to the correct response aperture either during the stimulus presentation, or within a brief limited hold period following presentation, were reinforced with illumination of the magazine light and delivery of a small food reward. Following training, premature responding was probed with a long-ITI session three times; once at baseline, once following a saline injection and once following an injection of a low dose of amphetamine (AMPH; 0.025 mg/kg). We predicted that if premature responding was related to impulsivity (as in rodents) it would be reduced following the AMPH injection. Results confirmed that zebrafish could learn to perform a complex operant task similar to tasks developed for rodents which are used to probe sustained attention and impulsivity, but the results from the AMPH trials were inconclusive. This study provides the foundations for development and further validation of this species as a model for some aspects of human attentional and impulse control disorders, such as substance abuse disorder.

Circadian Modulation of Dopamine Levels and Dopaminergic Neuron Development Contributes to Attention Deficiency and Hyperactive Behavior

“…This test was performed as described previously (Parker et al, 2012). All behavioral testing took place in a custom-built tank.…”

“…per1b mutant fish display impulsivity-like phenotype Human ADHD patients show impulsivity and often have difficulty waiting for things they want. To investigate whether zebrafish per1b mutants show cognitive impulsivity, we performed a two-choice serial reaction-time task in adult fish as described previously (Parker et al, 2012), using a modified apparatus shown in Figure 1B. During 1-week-long consecutive daily training sessions, when a green light was accompanied by a food reward near the light, both the mutant and wild-type fish entered into the region near the green light within 1 min after it was switched on.…”

Attention as an effect not a cause

“…Many vertebrate species lacking a well-developed neocortex nonetheless demonstrate clear behavioral signs of attention, including pigeons [52], peacocks [53], owls, [54], frogs [55,56], salamanders [57], and zebrafish [58]. For example, zebrafish can perform the same type of complex multi-choice serial reaction time task [59] that is commonly used to assess attention function in rodents [60]. …”

Discrimination reversal and attentional sets in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…The progress of the species in this respect is limited only by the rate at which laboratories develop and publish detailed behavioural protocols, such that any phyletic differences in learning capabilities or performance characteristics (qualitative or quantitative) can be scrutinised [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. While quantitative differences in learning between vertebrate species are to be expected, qualitative differences in learning could severely compromise the translational relevance of animal models [10].…”