Understanding how stress responses and stress-related behaviors have evolved in zebrafish and mammals

Stress response is essential for the organism to quickly restore physiological homeostasis disturbed by various environmental insults. In addition to well-established physiological cascades, stress also evokes various brain and behavioral responses. Aquatic animal models, including the zebrafish (Danio rerio), have been extensively used to probe pathobiological mechanisms of stress and stress-related brain disorders. Here, we critically discuss the use of zebrafish models for studying mechanisms of stress and modeling its disorders experimentally, with a particular cross-taxon focus on the potential evolution of stress responses from zebrafish to rodents and humans, as well as its translational implications.

Automated summary

Studying the mechanisms of stress response and modeling related disorders has always been an important topic. Aquatic animal models, particularly zebrafish, have played a crucial role in this area. This article focuses on the evolution of stress responses from zebrafish to rodents and humans, as well as discusses its implications in translational medicine.