Scientists Urfu began to test antidepressants on the fish. Biologists have found the species zebrafish family Cyprinidae, the phenomenon of despair. In the experiment, they were placed in a hopeless situation, when vertebrates could not even move. Under similar depressed behavior, the fish were sedentary and spent a lot of time at the bottom of the aquarium. However, this anxiety proved to be possible to remove with conventional antidepressants. Then they began to rise to the surface and were not even afraid of predators, reports GTRK “Ural”.
According to the researchers, the genomes of fish and humans are similar at 70%. Thus zebrafish is a fully genetically identified, so it is convenient for research. Also their maintenance does not require large costs, which simplifies the testing of antidepressants.
“they produced exactly the same the stress hormone, as in man, cortisol. Therefore, it is possible to use clinical tests that are designed for people”, – says head of the laboratory of Institute of natural Sciences Urfu Sergey Jacko.
Text: STRC “Ural”
