Non-Associative Learning in Larval Zebrafish

摘要: Habituation, where a response is reduced when exposed to continuous stimulus one of the simplest forms non-associative learning and has been shown in number organisms from sea slugs rodents. However, very little reported zebrafish, model that gaining popularity for high-throughput compound screens. Furthermore, since most studies involving memory zebrafish have conducted adults, we sought determine if larvae could display whether it be modulated by compounds identified previous rodent studies. We demonstrated (7 days post fertilization) exhibit iterative reduction startle series acoustic stimuli. this satisfied criteria habituation: spontaneous recovery, more rapid reductions shorter intertrial intervals dishabituation. then investigated pathways mediating behavior using established memory. Administration rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor), donepezil (acetylcholinesterase memantine (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist) all increased decreased habituation larvae, similar Further NMDA blocked effect was mecamylamine but not atropine suggesting mediated nicotinic rather than muscarinic receptors. Zebrafish possess numerous advantages medium screening; described herein therefore offers potential screen additional further study on cognition function.