Investigation of ketamine pharmacological modulation of aggressive behavior in adult zebrafish

Abstract

Ketamine is an anesthetic agent which in recent years has gained prominence due to its antidepressant properties. However, the adverse effects resulting from the acute administration of this drug have been reported and are a challenge for use of ketamine as an antidepressant. The aim of this study was the characterization of the acute effects of ketamine in states of aggressiveness in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our results showed that ketamine didn't induce aggressive-like behaviors, at sub-anesthetic doses. However, these findings suggest that biochemical and neurochemical studies must be conducted to investigate the effects of ketamine on aggressiveness at molecular level in adult zebrafish.