Prey capture in zebrafish larvae serves as a model to study cognitive functions

Frontiers in Neural Circuits

Koichi eKawakami²  Akira eMuto² 

[1] National Institute of Genetics;The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI);

关键词: Perception;    Recognition (Psychology);    Visual Perception;    Zebrafish;    Vision;    prey capture;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fncir.2013.00110

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Prey capture in zebrafish larvae is an innate behavior which can be observed as early as 4 days post fertilization, the day when they start to swim. This simple behavior apparently involves several neural processes including visual perception, recognition, decision-making, and motor control, and, therefore, serves as a good model system to study cognitive functions underlying natural behaviors in vertebrates. Recent progresses in imaging techniques provided us with a unique opportunity to image neuronal activity in the brain of an intact fish in real-time while the fish perceives a natural prey, paramecium. By expanding this approach, it would be possible to image entire brain areas at a single cell resolution in real-time during prey capture, and identify neuronal circuits important for cognitive functions. Further, activation or inhibition of those neuronal circuits with recently developed optogenetic tools or neurotoxins should shed light on their roles. Thus, we will be able to explore the prey capture in zebrafish larvae more thoroughly at cellular levels, which should establish a basis of understanding of the cognitive function in vertebrates.

【 授权许可】

Unknown