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Sleep deprivation in zebrafish larvae: Behavior and cognitive alterations
Stefani Altenhofen1, Luiza Zanetti Patella2, Bárbara Dutra Petersen1
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Laboratório de Neuroquímica e Psicofarmacologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Partial sleep deprivation (PSD) and total sleep deprivation (TSD) in zebrafish larvae impair early-life locomotion and optomotor responses. However, these sleep disruptions do not cause lasting behavioral or memory deficits in adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Sleep deprivation (insufficient sleep) negatively impacts performance and alertness.
- Zebrafish exhibit diurnal circadian rhythms in sleep, with periods of inactivity and arousal.
- Early-life sleep is crucial, potentially influencing long-term development and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of partial sleep deprivation (PSD) and total sleep deprivation (TSD) on zebrafish larvae.
- To assess the long-term consequences of larval sleep deprivation on adult behavior and memory.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish larvae at 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) were exposed to PSD (19h light/5h dark) or TSD (24h continuous light) for three consecutive days.
- Locomotor, exploratory, aversive, and optomotor behaviors were assessed during deprivation.
- Adult fish (180 dpf) were evaluated for locomotion, social interaction, and memory after standard light/dark cycles.
Main Results:
- Larval PSD (48h) and TSD (24-72h) significantly reduced distance traveled and swimming velocity.
- Optomotor behavior was impaired by 72h PSD and 48-72h TSD in larvae.
- Adult fish showed no significant alterations in locomotion, social interaction, or memory following larval PSD or TSD.
Conclusions:
- Early-life partial and total sleep deprivation in zebrafish larvae transiently impair motor function and visual responses.
- Despite short-term deficits, sleep deprivation during early development does not lead to persistent behavioral or memory impairments in adulthood.
- Zebrafish may possess resilience to early-life sleep disruptions, recovering normal adult behavior and cognitive function.
