Presenter Information

Alexander GoodmanFollow

Advisor Information

Dr. Ryan Wong

Location

112

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Start Date

1-3-2019 12:45 PM

End Date

1-3-2019 2:00 PM

Abstract

Neurotransmitter systems are important in regulating the stress response. If a behavioral response is disproportional to a stressor it is characterized as anxiety-like behavior. Many anxiolytic compounds, such as ethanol, increase stressor engagement, but how these compounds interact with an organism on a neurogenetic level is less understood. In this study, I assessed the impact of chronic ethanol treatment on behavior and gene expression of GABAAreceptors subunits on two strains of zebrafish. Each strain was selectively bred to display the proactive or reactive stress coping style where proactive individuals will actively engage a stressor more than reactive individuals. There was a significant strain x treatment interaction effect of treatment and strain on two anxiety-related behaviors (p< 0.05). Specifically, ethanol-treated proactive individuals displayed significantly lower anxiety-related behaviors than their reactive counterparts. Additionally, there was a significant main effect of strain for two of the GABAAreceptor subunits and a main of effect of treatment on the a1-subunit (p< 0.05). These results show that the effects of anxiolytic drug treatment on behavior and molecular responses depend on stress coping style. This suggests that other factors, such as personality type and underlying genetics, should be considered for treatments for anxiety-related disorders to offer a more targeted therapy.

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COinS
 
Mar 1st, 12:45 PM Mar 1st, 2:00 PM

Effects of chronic ethanol exposure on stress coping style and genetic states of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

112

Neurotransmitter systems are important in regulating the stress response. If a behavioral response is disproportional to a stressor it is characterized as anxiety-like behavior. Many anxiolytic compounds, such as ethanol, increase stressor engagement, but how these compounds interact with an organism on a neurogenetic level is less understood. In this study, I assessed the impact of chronic ethanol treatment on behavior and gene expression of GABAAreceptors subunits on two strains of zebrafish. Each strain was selectively bred to display the proactive or reactive stress coping style where proactive individuals will actively engage a stressor more than reactive individuals. There was a significant strain x treatment interaction effect of treatment and strain on two anxiety-related behaviors (p< 0.05). Specifically, ethanol-treated proactive individuals displayed significantly lower anxiety-related behaviors than their reactive counterparts. Additionally, there was a significant main effect of strain for two of the GABAAreceptor subunits and a main of effect of treatment on the a1-subunit (p< 0.05). These results show that the effects of anxiolytic drug treatment on behavior and molecular responses depend on stress coping style. This suggests that other factors, such as personality type and underlying genetics, should be considered for treatments for anxiety-related disorders to offer a more targeted therapy.