Sleep Phenotypes In Zebrafish

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-6-2017

School

Psychology

Abstract

© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017. All rights reserved. Sleep is a vital, highly evolutionarily conserved biological function across species. It has been extensively studied in human and rodent models, and recently, the study of sleep in zebrafish has gained momentum. Neuropeptide and neurotransmitter systems that regulate sleep and waking rhythms are fully developed in the zebrafish within 4 days post fertilization, and demonstrate genetic homology to humans and rodents. Similar to the humans and rodent models, sleep in the larval and adult zebrafish is largely consolidated to dark phases. However, these systems remain susceptible to environmental and pharmacological manipulations, with drastic changes in sleep rhythms resulting in changes in gene and protein expression. As is seen with humans and rodents, sleep deprivation in zebrafish tends to result in anxiety like responses. Further analysis of the effects of genetic and pharmacological intervention would provide a deeper understanding of this essential function, potentially paving the way for the development of pharmacological treatments for sleep related disorders.

Publication Title

The Rights and Wrongs of Zebrafish: Behavioral Phenotyping of Zebrafish

First Page

221

Last Page

239

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS