Alterations in the brain serotonin system and serotonin-regulated behavior during aging in zebrafish males and females.

The brain serotonin (5-HT) system performs a neurotrophic function and supports the plasticity of the nervous system, while its age-related changes can increase the risk of senile neurodegeneration. Zebrafish brain is highly resistant to damage and neurodegeneration due to its high regeneration potential and it is a promising model object in searching for molecular factors preventing age-related neurodegeneration. In the present study alterations in 5-HT-related behavior in the home tank and the novel tank diving test, as well as 5-HT, 5-HIAA levels, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and the expression of genes encoding TPH, MAO, 5-HT transporter and 5-HT receptors in the brain of 6, 12, 24 and 36 month old zebrafish males and females are investigated.

Age-Related Alterations in the Level and Metabolism of Serotonin in the Brain of Males and Females of Annual Turquoise Killifish ().

The annual turquoise killifish () is a laboratory model organism for neuroscience of aging. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the levels of serotonin and its main metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, as well as the activities of the key enzymes of its synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylases, and degradation, monoamine oxidase, in the brains of 2-, 4- and 7-month-old male and female . The marked effect of age on the body mass and the level of serotonin, as well as the activities of tryptophan hydroxylases and monoamine oxidase in the brain of killifish were revealed.

On association of the lethal yellow (A) mutation in the agouti gene with the alterations in mouse brain and behavior.

Lethal yellow (A) mutation causes obesity and type-2 diabetes in mice. Here we studied the effect of the A mutation on the brain and behavior. The experiments were carried out on adult (11-12 weeks old) males of A/a mice and their wild-type littermates (a/a).