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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Automated High-throughput Behavioral Analyses in Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: July 4, 2013
Zebrafish neurobehavioral phenomics for aquatic neuropharmacology and toxicology research
Allan V Kalueff1, David J Echevarria2, Sumit Homechaudhuri3
1Research Institute for Marine Drugs and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524025, China; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA 70458, USA; ZENEREI Institute, 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia; Chemical-Technological Institute and Institute of Natural Sciences, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620002, Russia.
Abstract:
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly emerging as an important model organism for aquatic neuropharmacology and toxicology research. The behavioral/phenotypic complexity of zebrafish allows for thorough dissection of complex human brain disorders and drug-evoked pathological states. As numerous zebrafish models become available with a wide spectrum of behavioral, genetic, and environmental methods to test novel drugs, here we discuss recent zebrafish phenomics methods to facilitate drug discovery, particularly in the field of biological psychiatry. Additionally, behavioral, neurological, and endocrine endpoints are becoming increasingly well-characterized in zebrafish, making them an inexpensive, robust and effective model for toxicology research and pharmacological screening. We also discuss zebrafish behavioral phenotypes, experimental considerations, pharmacological candidates and relevance of zebrafish neurophenomics to other 'omics' (e.g., genomic, proteomic) approaches. Finally, we critically evaluate the limitations of utilizing this model organism, and outline future strategies of research in the field of zebrafish phenomics.
