Australian scientists use genetically modified zebrafish to model schizophrenia
Australian researchers created zebrafish with human psychiatric genes, and the fish showed matching symptoms.
Dr Jean Giacomotto and his team work at an Australian lab. The researchers gave zebrafish the same gene mutations found in people with schizophrenia and autism.
The modified fish showed the same behavioral changes humans with these conditions experience. The behavioral changes included social withdrawal, anxiety, and altered aggression at the same life stages.
Some zebrafish explore their tanks freely. Others with the genetic changes stay anxious in one corner, matching human patterns.
This suggests complex social behaviors may be hard-wired into DNA rather than shaped by environment. Researchers hope the findings help them test new treatments for psychiatric disorders and understand what causes them.
They're now investigating whether behavioral changes can be stopped or reversed.
- Dr Jean Giacomotto
- Researcher
- Schizophrenia and autism
- Conditions modeled
- Faster and cheaper drug development
- Advantage over human trials
Why it mattersUsing fish models to test treatments is faster and cheaper than human trials. This could speed up the development of new drugs for schizophrenia and autism.
AustraliaThis Australian research advances understanding of psychiatric disorders and could lead to better treatments for people in Australia and worldwide.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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