Weakly Electric Fish as Emerging Models for Neuroprotection and CNS Drug Discovery
Damarla Snehalatha *
Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Lam, Guntur-522034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Karra Prabhath
Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Lam, Guntur-522034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Yemineni Renu Sri
Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Lam, Guntur-522034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Preethi Byram
Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Lam, Guntur-522034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
D Eswar Tony
Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Lam, Guntur-522034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
D Rajesh Babu
Department of Pharmacology, Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Lam, Guntur-522034, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Weakly electric fish provide a unique combination of dopamine-modulated behaviours with a non-invasive electrophysiological read-out: the electric organ discharge (EOD). Their biology offers a cost-effective and ethically favourable platform for exploring mechanisms of neurodegeneration and screening neuroprotective compounds. This review summarises the anatomy and physiology underpinning EOD generation, highlights parallel with mammalian basal ganglia circuits, and discusses how mitochondrial toxins such as MPTP, rotenone and paraquat have been used to induce Parkinson-like phenotypes in these species. Importantly, this model may also provide insights into other CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. By outlining methodological gaps (standardisation, molecular toolkits, regulatory acceptance) and future directions, this review highlights how weakly electric fish fill a critical gap between zebrafish and rodent systems, offering a novel perspective in early-stage CNS drug discovery.
Keywords: Weakly electric fish, neuroprotection, electric organ discharge, dopamine, Parkinson’s disease, CNS drug discovery