Are Neurobehavioral Effects of Embryonic Methylmercury Exposure Heritable Transgenerationally in Zebrafish?
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biopsychology, Psychology
Mentor Information
Xandra Xu
Department
Psychology
Location
Henry Hall Atrium 44
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:00 AM
Keywords
Environment, Health, Life Science
Abstract
Learning is pivotal in the cognitive development of all creatures and deficits in this respect can be detrimental to one's ability to function in society. Previous research has demonstrated that embryonic methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in zebrafish affects learning and produces hyperactivity. The current study aims to investigate the heritability of these adverse neurobehavioral effects by testing the offspring of zebrafish that were subjected to embryonic MeHg exposure. In order to evaluate the learning capabilities of zebrafish they were trained to associate a light with being shocked and to avoid this shock they could swim to a darkened compartment underneath a manually raised divider. By assessing the ability of zebrafish to learn this task we will be able to evaluate the transgenerational heritability of the neurobehavioral effects of embryonic MeHg exposure.
Are Neurobehavioral Effects of Embryonic Methylmercury Exposure Heritable Transgenerationally in Zebrafish?
Henry Hall Atrium 44
Learning is pivotal in the cognitive development of all creatures and deficits in this respect can be detrimental to one's ability to function in society. Previous research has demonstrated that embryonic methylmercury (MeHg) exposure in zebrafish affects learning and produces hyperactivity. The current study aims to investigate the heritability of these adverse neurobehavioral effects by testing the offspring of zebrafish that were subjected to embryonic MeHg exposure. In order to evaluate the learning capabilities of zebrafish they were trained to associate a light with being shocked and to avoid this shock they could swim to a darkened compartment underneath a manually raised divider. By assessing the ability of zebrafish to learn this task we will be able to evaluate the transgenerational heritability of the neurobehavioral effects of embryonic MeHg exposure.