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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Toxicity Screening Using Zebrafish Embryo Startle Response Assay
Published on: January 12, 2024
Zebrafish as a systems toxicology model for developmental neurotoxicity testing
Yuhei Nishimura1, Soichiro Murakami, Yoshifumi Ashikawa
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacoinformatics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan; Mie University Medical Zebrafish Research Center, Tsu, Japan; Depertment of Systems Pharmacology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan; Department of Omics Medicine, Mie University Industrial Technology Innovation Institute, Tsu, Japan; Department of Bioinformatics, Mie University Life Science Research Center, Tsu, Japan.
Zebrafish offer a cost-effective and ethical alternative for developmental neurotoxicity testing. This model aids in understanding chemical impacts on the developing brain and assessing human health risks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The developing brain is vulnerable to chemical exposures, linked to disorders like autism and Parkinson's.
- Rodent models for developmental neurotoxicity testing are costly, time-consuming, and raise ethical issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advantages of using zebrafish as an alternative model for developmental neurotoxicity testing.
- To highlight zebrafish's utility in assessing neurobehavior, central nervous system development, and toxicokinetics/toxicodynamics.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on zebrafish in developmental neurotoxicity.
- Discussion of integrated approaches combining zebrafish with gene expression profiling, neuroimaging, and neurobehavioral assessments.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish provide a viable model for large-scale, cost-effective developmental neurotoxicity screening.
- The species allows for detailed study of neurodevelopmental endpoints and chemical mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish serve as a valuable systems toxicology model for understanding developmental neurotoxicity.
- This model can contribute to more robust human risk assessments for neurotoxicants.
