Modeling depression in zebrafish

Abstract

Depression is a widespread, severely debilitating mental disorder characterized by low mood, anhedonia, fatigue, decreased attention, suicidality and psychomotor retardation, accompanied by neuroendocrine and molecular disorders. Zebrafish have neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter systems similar to humans, as well as high genetic homology, and are rapidly becoming popular model organisms for modeling depressive-like conditions. Here, we discuss modern behavioral, pharmacological and genetic models of depression in zebrafish, their methodological applications and translational implications.