A reproducible method to study traumatic injury-induced zebrafish brain regeneration

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the head, causing irreversible brain damage leading to cellular and functional loss. Mammals cannot repair such damage, which may increase the risk of progressive neurodegeneration. Unlike mammals, lower vertebrates such as zebrafish have the astounding capability to regenerate their brains. A model system would be of great value to study zebrafish brain regeneration. Here, we describe a physical method to induce traumatic injury in the zebrafish brain and outline a pipeline to utilize this model system to explore various aspects of brain regeneration. This will significantly advance the fields of regenerative biology and neuroscience. The method includes inducing TBI and validating this through histological assays, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis. By using this model system, researchers will be able to gain valuable insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain regeneration. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to the identification of potential strategies to address neurodegenerative conditions in higher vertebrates.