Neuroscience, Developmental Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
74
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Memantine Confers Multi-Target Protection in a Zebrafish Seizure Model: Attenuating Epileptic Behavior, GluN2A Overexpression, and Oxidative Stress Kamila Cagliari Zenki, Eduardo Kalinine, Ben Hur Marins Mussulini, Thainá Garbino dos Santos, Lucia von Mengden, et al. Journal of Neurochemistry, 2026 Drug repurposing represents a strategic approach to identifying multi‐target therapies for complex disorders like refractory epilepsy. Memantine (MN), a well‐tolerated N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist with additional multi‐target activities, is a promising candidate for repurposing. This study investigated the preventive effects of MN on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‐induced seizures and its associated neurochemical and behavioral sequelae in adult zebrafish. Animals were pre‐treated with MN (20 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle 1 or 2 h before PTZ exposure. Seizure behavior was assessed immediately, while neurochemical and behavioral analyses were conducted 24 h post‐seizure. MN pre‐treatment significantly attenuated seizure severity and delayed the onset of tonic–clonic seizures. Notably, MN prevented the PTZ‐induced upregulation of the GluN2A NMDAR subunit and mitigated oxidative stress by reducing protein carbonylation and normalizing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Furthermore, MN abolished the PTZ‐induced increase in time spent in the white compartment of a light/dark test, a behavioral indicator of disrupted defensive responses. These results demonstrate that MN confers robust anticonvulsant, neuroprotective, and behavioral‐stabilizing effects in a zebrafish seizure model. Our findings reinforce the potential of memantine as a novel multi‐target adjunct therapy for mitigating the neurobehavioral consequences of epilepsy. image
Chronic Exposure of Zebrafish to Iron and Aluminum: Evaluation of Reversal and Generational Transposition of Behavioral, Histopathological, and Genotoxic Changes Gabriela Zimmermann Prado Rodrigues, Mariana Finkler, Thainá Garbino dos Santos, Juliana Machado Kayser, Diego Del Duca Lima, et al. Environmental Toxicology, 2025 This study aimed to report the effects of chronic exposure of zebrafish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 0.5, 2.4, and 5.0 mg L−1 iron (Fe) and 0.2, 0.4, and 2.0 mg L−1 aluminum (Al). We also evaluated the reversal and generational transposition (F1) of possible histopathological, behavioral, and genotoxic changes in the species. Locomotion changes that may have been caused by the increase in the number of apoptotic cells and in the telencephalic mitochondrial activity were observed especially after the 30 days exposure to Al and persisted after recovery (30 days). We also observed histopathological changes, such as an increase in the number of intestinal goblet cells, even after the recovery period in these animals. Our results also showed that the Fe concentrations used were insufficient to cause genotoxicity, behavioral and intestinal epithelium changes. The adult offspring (F1) of animals exposed to Al showed changes in locomotion and in the amount of goblet cells, demonstrating that even in low concentrations this pollutant can harm subsequent generations in the aquatic biota. Animals demonstrate, in general, greater tolerance to Fe which may be related to the physiological demand of this metal by the body. Even so, all concentrations of both metals that caused some change in the species represent Brazilian environmental occurrences or Brazilian legislation. It highlights the need for updating the guidelines and constant monitoring of aquatic environments, since even in the face of a hypothetical decontamination of the environment, some changes could persist and affect different trophic levels.
Morphological abnormalities in zebrafish cryopreserved sperm Bruna Bitencourt da Costa, Diogo Losh de Oliveira, Rômulo Batista Rodrigues, Itamar Cossina Gomes, Danilo Pedro Streit Cryobiology, 2020 The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation on the morphology of zebrafish sperm (Danio rerio). Sperm from 30 males were collected and divided in two treatments: fresh and cryopreserved semen. The following were measured sperm morphology, motility and membrane integrity. Cryopreservation reduced motility, the number of normal cells and the membrane integrity, as well as increased the percentage of sperm abnormalities. The most frequent types of morphological changes found in cryopreserved semen were macrocephaly, loose head, degenerated head, proximal gout, curled tail and short tail. This study opens the way for further investigations on morphological changes and for a new classification of these changes in fish semen due to cryopreservation.
What means, in numbers, a gold standard biochemistry department to national agencies of research fomentation in Brazil? Proceedings of Issi 2013 14th International Society of Scientometrics and Informetrics Conference, 2013
Studies on the genetics and ecology of Heliconius erato (Lepidoptera; Nymphalidea). IV. Effective size and variability of the red raylets in natural populations Revista Brasileira De Genetica, 1992