ISSN : 2663-2187

Zebrafish as a Versatile Model System for Investigating Neurodegenerative Diseases: Focus on Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis and Drug Discovery

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Logeshwari B1† , Srikanth Jeyabalan1†* , Chetan Ashok1 , Gayathri Veeraraghavan2 , Krishnaraj K
» doi: 10.33472/AFJBS.6.5.2024.

Abstract

The zebrafish (Danio rerio), a prominent model organism since the 1970s, has proven influential in neurodegenerative disease research, notably Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review examines the zebrafish's distinct advantages in unraveling AD pathogenesis. Genetic benefits, coupled with transparent embryos enabling real-time disease visualization, have facilitated effective AD models. The zebrafish shares significant genetic similarity with humans, particularly in neurodegenerative disease-related genes, enhancing its role in drug discovery. The article focuses on zebrafish models for AD, emphasizing the amyloid cascade hypothesis and tau hyperphosphorylation. Aβ accumulation in zebrafish is pivotal for cerebrovascular function. Applications include studying genetic and environmental factors, investigating therapeutic compounds, and understanding molecular mechanisms. High-throughput drug screening with zebrafish expedites potential drug candidate identification. The zebrafish's rapid development cycle and prolific offspring minimize research time and costs, ensuring a consistent sample pool. Neurotransmitter systems, neuroanatomy, and genome similarities with humans further enhance its value in AD research. Limitations, such as unpredictable chemical absorption and the zebrafish's regenerative capacity, are acknowledged as challenges in AD modeling.

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