Assessment of Probiotics' Impact on Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Responses in Zebrafish Models: Implications for...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with rising prevalence and unknown causes.
• Gut-brain axis alterations are observed in ASD, suggesting probiotics as a potential therapeutic avenue.
• The efficacy and mechanisms of multiple probiotics in ASD models remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of multiple probiotics on mitigating developmental and behavioral defects in zebrafish models of ASD.
• To investigate probiotic impact on germ-free (GF), conventionally raised (CR), and mutant zebrafish lines relevant to ASD.
• To explore the influence of probiotics on key neurotransmitter gene expression in ASD models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized germ-free (GF) and conventionally raised (CR) wild-type zebrafish, alongside Tbr1b-/- and Katnal2-/- mutant lines as ASD models.
• Administered multiple probiotic strains to assess effects on zebrafish development and behavior.
• Analyzed gene expression levels of key neurotransmitter pathways (GABA, dopamine, serotonin).

Main Results:

• Probiotic administration improved key developmental indexes, including body length, weight, and survival rates in zebrafish.
• Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus modulated behavior, increasing mobility in CR zebrafish and reducing abnormal behaviors in GF and transgenic models.
• Probiotics significantly activated the expression of genes related to GABA, dopamine, and serotonin pathways (gad1b, tph1a, htr3a, th, slc6a3).

Conclusions:

• This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of specific probiotics on developmental and behavioral deficits in zebrafish models of ASD.
• Probiotics may exert their effects by modulating neurotransmitter pathways involved in autism.
• These findings offer a novel perspective on probiotic applications for ASD therapy and related conditions.