Tiny Fish, Big Hope: Zebrafish Unlocking Secrets to Fight Parkinson's Disease.
Tiny Fish, Big Hope: Zebrafish Unlocking Secrets to Fight Parkinson's Disease.
Where did the research take place?
The study site has not been established. Author addresses may differ from where the research occurred.
IN · Author affiliation · country only
Zebrafish Drug Screening Center, Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (A Deemed to Be University), Tamaka, Kolar 563103, India.Location evidence
Pohang, KR · Author affiliation
Center for Biofluid and Biomimic Research, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea.Location evidence
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Original abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder marked by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. This neuronal degradation causes motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. Despite decades of research, current treatments remain limited to symptom management, highlighting the urgent need for deeper insights into PD mechanisms and new therapeutic approaches. Among model organisms, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a valuable tool for PD research due to the possibility of genetic manipulation. Zebrafish can be engineered to carry human PD-associated mutations, such as those in α-synuclein, LRRK2, and Parkin, enabling researchers to study the molecular and cellular basis of the disease. Additionally, exposure to neurotoxins like MPTP and paraquat allows scientists to replicate PD-like symptoms in zebrafish, supporting drug screening and behavioural analysis. This review summarises the key advantages and limitations of zebrafish as a model for PD, compares it with rodent models, and discusses recent advances and future directions that may improve translational outcomes in PD therapy and personalised medicine.