Noninvasive Electrophysiology: Emerging Prospects in AquaticNeurotoxicity Testing

:the significance of neurotoxicological risks asso-ciated with anthropogenic pollution is gaining increasingrecognition worldwide. In this regard, perturbations in behavioraltraits upon exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations ofneurotoxic and neuro-modulating contaminants have been linkedto diminished ecologicalfitness of many aquatic species. Despitean increasing interest in behavioral testing in aquatic ecotoxicologythere is, however, a notable gap in understanding of theneurophysiological foundations responsible for the alteredbehavioral phenotypes. One of the canonical approaches to explainthe mechanisms of neuro-behavioral changes is functional analysisof neuronal transmission. In aquatic animals it requires, however,invasive, complex, and time-consuming electrophysiology techniques. In this perspective, we highlight emerging prospects ofnoninvasive,in situelectrophysiology based on multielectrode arrays (MEAs). This technology has only recently been pioneered forthe detection and analysis of transient electrical signals in the central nervous system of small model organisms such as zebrafish. Theanalysis resembles electroencephalography (EEG) applications and provides an appealing strategy for mechanistic explorative studiesas well as routine neurotoxicity risk assessment. We outline the prospective future applications and existing challenges of thisemerging analytical strategy that is poised to bring new vistas for aquatic ecotoxicology such as greater mechanistic understanding ofeco-neurotoxicity and thus more robust risk assessment protocols

Automated summary

The significance of neurotoxicological risks associated with anthropogenic pollution is being recognized worldwide. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the neurophysiological foundations responsible for the altered behavioral phenotypes. Noninvasive, in situ electrophysiology based on multielectrode arrays (MEAs) offers a promising approach for studying neurobehavioral changes in aquatic species.