Latent learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

The zebrafish may represent an excellent compromise between system complexity and practical simplicity for behavioral brain research. It may be particularly appropriate for large scale screening studies whose aim is to identify mutants with altered phenotypes or novel compounds with particular efficacy. For example, the zebrafish may have utility in the analysis of the biological mechanisms of learning and memory. Although learning and memory have been extensively studied and hundreds of underlying molecular mechanisms have been identified, this number may represent only the fraction of genes involved in these complex brain functions. Thus large scale mutagenesis screens may have utility. In order for such screens to succeed, appropriate screening paradigms must be developed. The first step in this research is the characterization of learning and memory capabilities of zebrafish and the development of automatable tasks. Here we show that zebrafish is capable of latent learning, i.e. can acquire memory of their environment after being allowed to explore it. For example, we found experimental zebrafish that experienced an open left tunnel or an open right tunnel of a maze during the unrewarded exploration phase of the test to show the appropriate side bias during a probe trial when they had to swim to a group of conspecifics (the reward). Given that exploration of the maze does not require the presence of the experimenter and the probe trial, during which the subjects are video-recorded and their memory is tested, is short, we argue that the paradigm has utility in high throughput screening.

Egr-1 induction provides a genetic response to food aversion in zebrafish

“…This is in line with numerous reports (Zippel and Domagk, 1971; Al-Imari and Gerlai, 2008; Sumbre et al, 2008; Pather and Gerlai, 2009; Gomez-Laplaza and Gerlai, 2010; Sison and Gerlai, 2010; Gerlai, 2011; Sison and Gerlai, 2011). In mammals, one learning process related to taste memory is taste aversion learning that consists in avoiding the ingestion of substances previously associated with visceral discomfort.…”

Induction of Social Behavior in Zebrafish: Live Versus Computer Animated Fish as Stimuli

“…For this reason, we and others have attempted to induce social behavior in fish tested singly by providing social stimuli to the experimental animal. 8,12,22,23 We employed two different methods of presentation of social stimuli, both utilizing conspecifics: (1) we presented the experimental subject with live stimulus fish; 12,17,18,20,24 or (2) we presented computer animated (moving) images of zebrafish. 12,25,26 Both presentation methods induced robust behavioral responses that resembled shoaling.…”

Zebrafish assessment of cognitive improvement and anxiolysis: filling the gap betweenin vitroand rodent models for drug development

“…Zebrafish have been shown to have significant learning using olfactory cues (Braubach et al, 2009). Interestingly, the sight of conspecifics can be used as reward in associative learning in zebrafish (Al -Imari and Gerlai, 2008 ; Gómez-Laplazaa and Gerlai b, 2009). Several studies have shown the efficacy of classic two-chamber shuttle box active-avoidance learning (Pradel et al, 1999, 2000; Xu et al, 2007; Pather and Gerlai, 2009).…”