A method for detecting molecular transport within the cerebral ventricles of live zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae

Key points The cerebral ventricles of the vertebrate brain form a series of interconnected chambers through which cerebrospinal fluid flows serving an important role in brain homeostasis and development. We introduce the larval zebrafish brain as a model for studying the physiology of the cerebral ventricles. The three dimensional form of the zebrafish ventricles was characterized by in vivo confocal microscopy and found to be similar to that of mammals. To follow the movement of molecules within ventricles we have a developed a technique using the uncaging of a fluorescent molecule. Zebrafish larvae provide a tractable model for studying ventricles and the movement of chemicals across the blood–brain barrier.