Exploring the Social Behavior Network in the Developing Zebrafish Brain

35 pagesResearch for neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social deficits, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, has helped increase the quality of life in individuals and families afflicted by these diagnoses. This research aims to further understand the neuronal network underlying social behavior in the developing brains of zebrafish (Danio rerio), which is currently poorly understood. The zebrafish is an experimental animal model that shares relevant cellular pathways and social behaviors that are conserved between vertebrate animals. We use genetic and behavioral research techniques to identify populations of neurons that are necessary to recognize biological motion, a critical component of typical social behavior. The genetic tools we use allow for cell tracking and nitroreductase-mediated cell death. After the targeted ablation of neurons in different areas of the brain, we use a behavioral assay to measure the social indices of individual zebrafish larvae. This assay projects dots that imitate the presence and movement of another fish while tracking the fish’s interactions with the dots in real-time. This is then calculated into a social index. We were able to identify neuronal populations that, after ablation, severely reduce typical social behavior. Using and improving this approach will allow us to identify a more complete picture of how the social circuit functions and which neuronal populations are involved. Unraveling the social circuit has the potential to increase early identification and targeted treatments of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterized by impairments in typical social behaviors