Miguel Oliveira and Carla Melo, from CESAM/DBIO at the University of Aveiro, in collaboration with researchers from the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) and the Institut Químic de Sarrià (Universitat Ramon Llull), have published a pioneering study in the scientific journal Journal of Hazardous Materials. The study demonstrates, for the first time, that embryonic exposure to environmental levels of an antidepressant can lead to long-lasting changes in the personality of zebrafish.
The research examined the effects of paroxetine, an antidepressant widely used in the treatment of depression in humans. The results show that exposure to this drug during embryonic development can alter personality traits and the way fish cope with stress, with potential impacts on species survival and adaptation.
The researchers found that these changes persist into the juvenile stage, indicating that key behaviours can be reprogrammed very early in life. As zebrafish are widely used as a model in biomedical research, these findings raise new questions about the environmental and health impacts of neuroactive pharmaceuticals.
The authors warn that individual behavioural changes may have consequences at the population level, affecting species’ ability to adapt to changing environments.
In addition to the likely ecological implications, the study also suggests potential impacts on human health, particularly during sensitive stages of development.
Full article available here.