Neurotransmitter systems in zebrafish model as a target for neurobehavioural studies

Neurobiology has focused on understanding the functional and structural properties of the brain as well as their ties to various toxicological and pathological processes. There has been a surge of interest in the study of stress-induced manifestations in the last two decades, which has led to the development of more viable animal models for stress-associated pathology and its therapeutic treatment. To understand the neurochemical changes underlying stress, study of neurotransmitters and their mechanism of action is required. Signalling by neurotransmitters controls quick intercellular communication through the activation of secondary messenger systems and regulation of ion channels. There are ethical issues with performing experiments on humans, so scientists use animal models for studying biological functions that is conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates. Nowadays zebrafish have been used as an model organism for neurological studies due to their genetic similarity with humans and ease of maintenance. Therefore, zebrafish is a suitable model for pharmacological and neurobehavioural investigation. The major neurotransmitter systems are examined in this study, including dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), glutamate, histamine and glycine. Their synthesis pathway, transport, metabolism, receptors and transporters involved, are also emphasized in this review. Recent studies on neurotransmitters and their effect on neurobehavioural aspect of zebrafish provides insight into brain functioning, as well as possible treatments for neurological disorders. As zebrafish knowledge of neurotransmitter systems increases and pharmacological and toxicological aspects of these systems are elucidated, new strategies and research priorities will become available to better understand neuropsychiatric disorders.