European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF ETHANOL TOXICITY ON ANXIETY BEHAVIOR AND MEMORY IN ZEBRAFISH

Nivedita Manoharan and Sathya Narayanan Govindarajulu*

ABSTRACT

Ethanol, is the intoxicating agent found in beer, wine and liquor. Long-term alcohol misuse leads to various disorders of heart, liver, cancer and psychiatric problems such as depression and personality disorder. Since zebrafish has 70% genetic homologue to mammals, it has been established as an eminent model for studying toxicity studies. The aim of the research is to study the effect of ethanol toxicity on anxiety behavior and memory in zebrafish using novel tank, light/dark preference tank and T-maze respectively. Fifty zebrafishes of both sexes were divided into two groups - control and ethanol exposed group (1% ethanol for 10 days). In the present study, there was significant decrease (p<0.05) in number of entries to the upper portion of the tank, time spent in the upper portion and freezing, whereas there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the latency to reach the upper portion of the tank in the novel tank behavior in ethanol exposed group. In light/dark preference tank, a significant increase (p<0.05) in the time taken in light and start box was observed and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in dark chamber was observed in ethanol exposed group. In T-maze, no significant change in memory were observed in day 1 and 5 of ethanol exposure. Whereas a significant decrease in memory (p<0.05) were observed in day 10. In the present study, there was increased anxiety behavior and memory deficit was detected when the ethanol is exposed. This may be due to the direct effect of ethanol intoxication on brain.

Keywords: Ethanol toxicity, Anxiety, Memory, T-Maze.