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Use of the Zebrafish Model to Understand Behavioral Disorders Associated with Altered Oxytocin System Development: Implications for Autism and Prader–Willi Syndrome

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Organism Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 100))

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Abstract

Zebrafish are a promising new model for the study of neurological development. The effects of small molecule exposure, genetic manipulation, mutations, or other treatments can be observed on a morphological level in the developing organism. In addition, by utilizing transgenic fish lines that express fluorescent marker proteins in specific neuronal subpopulations, changes in brain development can be monitored at a cellular level. Moreover, after visualizing brain development, consequent alterations in behavior can be measured in the adult fish. In 2003, Tropepe and Sive first proposed using zebrafish as a model for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), using a genetic screen to investigate reduced ventricular development, an ASD endophenotpye (Tropepe and Sive, Genes Brain Behav 2:268–281, 2003). Since that initial proposal, numerous studies have proven zebrafish to be a useful and unique model for the study of numerous aspects of ASD, Prader–Willi syndrome, and related disorders. Dysfunction of the oxytocin system has been implicated in all three of these disorders. We have developed transgenic zebrafish expressing green florescent protein in oxytocin-producing neurons. This enables visualization of perturbations in the oxytocinergic system, allowing the detection of new connections and structures, and correlation to altered adult behavior. This chapter presents a general protocol for utilizing zebrafish for studies of neurodevelopmental disorders based on pharmacologic manipulation and observation of embryonic brain development, followed by behavioral analyses once the fish mature. These procedures assume no specialized facilities or equipment for zebrafish studies, and are intended to provide an entry point for preliminary studies conducted by investigators with little to no experience with this amazing model organism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, 343 Building D, 4000 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA

    Nicole Johnston & Eric Glasgow Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Nicole Johnston
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  2. Eric Glasgow Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Eric Glasgow Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inserm GMGF UMR_S 910, Génomique Fonctionnelle INSERM UMR_S 910, Aix Marseille Université, Génétique Médicale, Marseille, France

    Pierre L. Roubertoux

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Johnston, N., Glasgow, E. (2015). Use of the Zebrafish Model to Understand Behavioral Disorders Associated with Altered Oxytocin System Development: Implications for Autism and Prader–Willi Syndrome. In: Roubertoux, P. (eds) Organism Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuromethods, vol 100. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2250-5_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2250-5_18

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2249-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2250-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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