Opioid Neurobiology, Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology in Zebrafish

Wandong Bao, Andrey D. Volgin, Erik T. Alpyshov, Ashton J. Friend, Tatyana Strekalova, Murilo S. de Abreu, Christopher Collins, Tamara G. Amstislayskaya, Konstantin A. Dentin, Allan Kalueff*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of medicinal use and abuse of opioids, their neurobiology and mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Experimental (animal) models are critical for improving our understanding of opioid effects in vivo. As zebrafish (Danio rerio) are increasingly utilized as a powerful model organism in neuroscience research, mounting evidence suggests these fish as a useful tool to study opioid neurobiology. Here, we discuss the zebrafish opioid system with specific focus on opioid gene expression, existing genetic models, as well as its pharmacological and developmental regulation. As many human brain diseases involve pain and aberrant reward, we also summarize zebrafish models relevant to opioid regulation of pain and addiction, including evidence of functional interplay between the opioid system and central dopaminergic and other neurotransmitter mechanisms. Additionally, we critically evaluate the limitations of zebrafish models for translational opioid research and emphasize their developing utility for improving our understanding of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of pain-related, addictive, affective and other behaviors, as well as for fostering opioid-related drug discovery. (C) 2019 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-232
Number of pages15
JournalNeuroscience
Volume404
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Apr 2019

Keywords

  • zebrafish
  • opioids
  • genetic models
  • pain
  • reward system
  • behavior
  • CONDITIONED PLACE PREFERENCE
  • ENKEPHALIN-GLY-TYR
  • LOCOMOTOR-ACTIVITY
  • NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
  • DOPAMINERGIC SYSTEM
  • GENOME DUPLICATION
  • DEVELOPING UTILITY
  • OPIATE WITHDRAWAL
  • RECEPTOR AGONIST
  • ACUTE MORPHINE

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