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Towards zebrafish models of migraine

  • Yubo Xiao
  • , Zichen Li
  • , Haojun Yao
  • , Yimeng Wang
  • , Ruyue Bai
  • , Zhili Yu
  • , Gaomuyi Wang
  • , Zhixuan He
  • , Jingbo Yang
  • , Jiale Chu
  • , Yixuan Pang
  • , Qiuyin Li
  • , Jiahao Cui
  • , Longen Yang
  • , Adam Michael Stewart
  • , Valentina N. Perfilova
  • , Clement Napo
  • , Murilo S. de Abreu*
  • , Allan V. Kalueff*
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
  • International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC)
  • Volgograd State Medical University
  • University of Cape Coast Ghana
  • Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre
  • Western Caspian University

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Second among global disability causes, migraine is a severely debilitating neurological disorder that affects over 1 billion people. Recognized clinically for millennia, migraine exhibits complex multifactorial pathogenesis, whose mechanisms, risk factors, and therapy remain poorly understood. This also necessitates robust animal models that recapitulate this disorder. Complementing rodent models, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a commonly used organism in neuroscience research. Can these fish be used to study pathophysiology of migraine? Here, we discuss the developing utility of these fish for modeling migraine-like conditions and the potential for high-throughput pharmacological testing of its therapies. Critically evaluating the existing challenges of modeling migraine in zebrafish, we also outline potential future lines of research in this field.

Original languageEnglish
Article number115627
JournalExperimental Neurology
Volume398
Early online date31 Dec 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2026

Keywords

  • Experimental models
  • Migraine
  • Pathobiological mechanisms
  • Translational neurology
  • Zebrafish

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