Stress increases susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in adult zebrafish

Stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires adaptive responses. In various organisms, stress a seizure-related comorbidity. Despite exposure stressors eliciting aversive behaviors in zebrafish, there are no data showing whether potentiates epileptic seizures this species. Here, we investigated previous an intense acute stressor positively modulates susceptibility pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-challenged zebrafish. The conspecific alarm substance (CAS) was used elicit responses (3.5 mL/L for 5 min), observed by increased bottom dwelling and erratic movements. Then, fish were immediately exposed 7.5 mM PTZ 10 min induce seizure-like behaviors. seizure intensity, number of clonic-like (score 4), as well facilitated occurrence score 4 episodes decreasing latency which reached 4. Moreover, with heightened anxiety showed PTZ, since positive correlations between anxiety- found. Overall, CAS also whole-body cortisol levels our novel findings show prominent response PTZ-induced previously stressed reinforce growing utility zebrafish models assess comorbidities aiming elucidate how can affect vertebrates.