Nicotine-Seeking Behavior in Zebrafish

Nicotine-Seeking Behavior in Zebrafish

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

10-2-2019

Abstract

The ultimate goal of our projects is to identify potential new pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of nicotine dependence, the number one cause of preventable diseases in the U.S. Zebrafish are a stepping stone towards developing better medicines that help people quit smoking and vaping. Larval zebrafish have advantages for studying nicotine response behavior because of their small size, short developmental period, availability of zebrafish mutants, targeted gene-knockout methods, and simple drug- delivery methods. However, mechanisms of nicotine-seeking behavior in zebrafish are unknown. To explore nicotine-seeking behavior in larval zebrafish, we have established behavioral choice assays using a plus-maze and a gradient-maze. Individual larval zebrafish (6 to 8 days after fertilization) were videotaped before and after the start of local delivery of nicotine into a single compartment of a maze. Video tracking analysis using EthovisionXT (Noldus) software was employed to quantify nicotine-seeking behavior by measuring parameters such as the cumulative time larval zebrafish spent in a nicotine-containing compartment and frequency of entering a nicotine-containing compartment. Results of 468 tested larval zebrafish indicate that the assays can be used to distinguish nicotine-seeking from non-seeking larval zebrafish. Nicotine-seeking larval zebrafish occupy nicotine compartments for longer periods and enter the nicotine- containing compartments more frequently compared to non-seekers. About 20% (94 of 468) tested individual larval zebrafish were identified as nicotine-seekers. Patterns of nicotine-seeking behavior vary among identified nicotine-seekers. A color-plus maze, or rainbow maze was employed to explore conditioned place preference testing. Nicotine- seeking larval zebrafish will be raised to adult-hood for future genomic analysis and generation of a new zebrafish line of nicotine-seekers. Studies of a new nicotine-seeker zebrafish line could lead to a better understanding of the genomics and mechanisms of nicotine-seeking behavior in zebrafish and the identification of potential pharmacotherapeutics for smoking cessation therapy.

Project Mentor

Prof. H. Schneider, PhD

Funding and Acknowledgements

Funding: Faculty Development Program

Nicotine-Seeking Behavior in Zebrafish

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