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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
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Studying Neurobehavioral Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: February 5, 2020
Microplastic-induced neurotoxicity in Zebrafish: Current evidence and underlying mechanisms
Sk Anabul Aktar1, Sayed Mohammed Firdous2, Sharad Laxmi Roy1
1Department of Pharmacology, Calcutta Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and AHS, Uluberia, 711316, Howrah, West Bengal, India.
Molecular Biology Reports
|July 11, 2026
Summary
Microplastics (MPs) pose a neurotoxic risk to zebrafish, impacting brain physiology and behavior. This review consolidates MP-induced neurotoxicity pathways, highlighting physical damage, chemical leaching, and oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants with documented neurotoxic effects.
- Research increasingly focuses on MPs' impact on brain physiology and aquatic organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neurotoxic effects of Microplastics (MPs) on zebrafish (Danio rerio).
- To consolidate known pathways of MP neurotoxicity in zebrafish brain physiology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review consolidating existing research on Microplastic neurotoxicity in zebrafish.
- Analysis of studies detailing MP accumulation, mechanisms, and behavioral changes in zebrafish.
Main Results:
- MPs accumulate in the zebrafish brain, causing physical damage, disrupting synaptic transmission, and leaching chemicals.
- MP exposure leads to altered behavior, decreased Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation, and apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics induce significant neurotoxic effects in zebrafish through multiple molecular pathways.
- Understanding MP neurotoxicity in zebrafish is crucial due to potential human health implications via the food chain.
