Neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior

Kirill V. Apukhtin; Vyacheslav D. Riga; Maria M. Kotova; David S. Galstyan; Longen Yang; Jiahao Cui; Lee Wei Lim; Murilo S. de Abreu; Allan V. Kalueff

doi:10.1177/02698811251413496

Neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior

Kirill V. Apukhtin
, Vyacheslav D. Riga
, Maria M. Kotova
, David S. Galstyan
, Longen Yang
, Jiahao Cui
, Lee Wei Lim
, Murilo S. de Abreu^*
, Allan V. Kalueff^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

Sirius University of Science and Technology
St. Petersburg State University
RAS - Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology
Almazov National Medical Research Centre
Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre
Suzhou Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Cell Signaling

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

A popular model organism for studying neural and molecular mechanisms of behavior, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) displays a wide range of robust and quantifiable social phenotypes, including shoaling/schooling, social preference and learning, as well as aggression and mating behaviors. Zebrafish social behavior is influenced by various neurotransmitters and hormones (including serotonin, dopamine, isotocin, cortisol, and endocannabinoids) and can be modulated experimentally, including genetically and pharmacologically. Here, we summarize current knowledge on neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior, and discuss various effects of drugs and other manipulations that target this critical behavioral domain.

Original language	English
Journal	Journal of Psychopharmacology
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811251413496
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

drugs
neuropharmacology
social behavior
translational research
zebrafish

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10.1177/02698811251413496

Cite this

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title = "Neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior",

abstract = "A popular model organism for studying neural and molecular mechanisms of behavior, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) displays a wide range of robust and quantifiable social phenotypes, including shoaling/schooling, social preference and learning, as well as aggression and mating behaviors. Zebrafish social behavior is influenced by various neurotransmitters and hormones (including serotonin, dopamine, isotocin, cortisol, and endocannabinoids) and can be modulated experimentally, including genetically and pharmacologically. Here, we summarize current knowledge on neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior, and discuss various effects of drugs and other manipulations that target this critical behavioral domain.",

keywords = "drugs, neuropharmacology, social behavior, translational research, zebrafish",

author = "Apukhtin, \{Kirill V.\} and Riga, \{Vyacheslav D.\} and Kotova, \{Maria M.\} and Galstyan, \{David S.\} and Longen Yang and Jiahao Cui and Lim, \{Lee Wei\} and \{S. de Abreu\}, Murilo and Kalueff, \{Allan V.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2026",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1177/02698811251413496",

language = "English",

journal = "Journal of Psychopharmacology",

issn = "0269-8811",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior

AU - Apukhtin, Kirill V.

AU - Riga, Vyacheslav D.

AU - Kotova, Maria M.

AU - Galstyan, David S.

AU - Yang, Longen

AU - Cui, Jiahao

AU - Lim, Lee Wei

AU - S. de Abreu, Murilo

AU - Kalueff, Allan V.

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - A popular model organism for studying neural and molecular mechanisms of behavior, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) displays a wide range of robust and quantifiable social phenotypes, including shoaling/schooling, social preference and learning, as well as aggression and mating behaviors. Zebrafish social behavior is influenced by various neurotransmitters and hormones (including serotonin, dopamine, isotocin, cortisol, and endocannabinoids) and can be modulated experimentally, including genetically and pharmacologically. Here, we summarize current knowledge on neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior, and discuss various effects of drugs and other manipulations that target this critical behavioral domain.

AB - A popular model organism for studying neural and molecular mechanisms of behavior, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) displays a wide range of robust and quantifiable social phenotypes, including shoaling/schooling, social preference and learning, as well as aggression and mating behaviors. Zebrafish social behavior is influenced by various neurotransmitters and hormones (including serotonin, dopamine, isotocin, cortisol, and endocannabinoids) and can be modulated experimentally, including genetically and pharmacologically. Here, we summarize current knowledge on neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior, and discuss various effects of drugs and other manipulations that target this critical behavioral domain.

KW - drugs

KW - neuropharmacology

KW - social behavior

KW - translational research

KW - zebrafish

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105030291684

U2 - 10.1177/02698811251413496

DO - 10.1177/02698811251413496

M3 - Review article

C2 - 41693066

AN - SCOPUS:105030291684

SN - 0269-8811

JO - Journal of Psychopharmacology

JF - Journal of Psychopharmacology

ER -

Neurobiology and neuropharmacology of zebrafish social behavior

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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