The role of zebrafish larvae for studying anxiety-like behaviour

Abstract

The main aim of my Ph.D. thesis is to further explore the value of using early developing zebrafish larvae (up to 5 dpf) as a model to study anxiety-like behaviour and their pharmacological modulation with drugs. Several behavioural parameters of larval zebrafish were used to evaluate anxiety-like behaviours, which are locomotion, startle response, and thigmotaxis. In addition to this, behavioural assays are also used to screen synthetic anxiolytics commonly used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Finally, the toxic effects of the synthetic and herbal-based anxiolytics were also assessed on the developing zebrafish larvae.