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Fear, anxiety, and control in the zebrafish
Author(s) -
Jesuthasan Suresh
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
developmental neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.716
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1932-846X
pISSN - 1932-8451
DOI - 10.1002/dneu.20873
Subject(s) - zebrafish , anxiety , neuroscience , habenula , biology , biological neural network , interpeduncular nucleus , control (management) , psychology , cognitive psychology , central nervous system , genetics , gene , computer science , midbrain , psychiatry , artificial intelligence
Emotional responses are triggered by environmental signals and involve profound changes at multiple levels, from molecular to behavior. Much has been learnt about two emotions, fear and anxiety, by studying mammalian models. In particular, neural circuits and the corresponding molecular mechanisms essential for the learning and retention of fear, as well as the activation of anxiety, are well known. In contrast, little is known about how these emotions are terminated. The zebrafish is a newcomer to the world of emotion research. A number of assays for fear and anxiety now exist, but the underlying neural circuitry is largely undefined. Recent experiments, however, appear to provide a hint as to how anxiety is downregulated. In particular, they point to an essential role for a circuit involving the posterior septum, medial habenula, and interpeduncular nucleus. This evolutionarily conserved circuit may fulfill a similar function in mammals. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 395–403, 2012