Exposure of Danio rerio to environmental sulfamethoxazole may contribute to neurobehavioral abnormalities via gut microbiome disturbance.

The neurotoxic effects and mechanisms of low-dose and long-term sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) exposure remain unknown. This study exposed zebrafish to environmental SMZ concentrations and observed behavioral outcomes. SMZ exposure increased hyperactivity and altered the transcript levels of 17 genes associated with neurological function.