Active avoidance learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio)—The role of sensory modality and inter-stimulus interval

• Published in: Behavioural brain research Vol. 248; pp. 141 - 143
• Main Authors: Morin, Christopher, de Souza Silva, Maria A., Müller, Christian P., Hardigan, Patrick, Spieler, Richard E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 01.07.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Active avoidance learning; Animals; Association Learning - physiology; Avoidance Learning - physiology; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Conditioning, Classical - physiology; Danio; Danio rerio; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Inter-stimulus interval; Light; Olfaction; Problem-Based Learning - methods; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Retention (Psychology) - physiology; Zebrafish; Zebrafish; Inter-stimulus interval; Active avoidance learning; Light; Olfaction; Stimulus modality; Learning; Vertebrata; Brachydanio rerio; Acquisition process; Pisces; Stimulus interval; Avoidance
• ISSN: 0166-4328; 1872-7549
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.009

•Zebrafish can meet the need of a high throughput model in neurobehavioral research.•We further explore the conditions of active avoidance learning in zebrafish.•Active avoidance conditioning experiments using shuttle boxes were performed.•Olfactory conditioning was more likely to produce successful outcome than visual.•A 10s CS–US interval yielded more memory formation than a 15s interval. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) promises to meet the growing need of a high throughput model in the fields of gerontological and neurobehavioral research by possessing highly conserved anatomy and physiology with vertebrates, while having low maintenance costs. Here we further explore the conditions of active avoidance learning in zebrafish. Two pairs of distinct aversive conditioning experiments using shuttle boxes were designed to compare the effects of sensory modality and conditioned-unconditioned stimulus interval (CS–US interval) upon memory formation and retention. We found that olfactory conditioning with phenylethyl alcohol as a CS was significantly more likely to produce a successful outcome than with a visual CS. Likewise a 10s CS–US interval yielded significantly more successful memory formation than a 15s interval. These conditions may further facilitate the use of zebrafish to explore the genetic and neuronal base of active avoidance learning and its neuropharmacological improvement.