Assessment of zebrafish embryo photomotor response sensitivity and phase‐specific patterns following acute‐ and long‐duration exposure to neurotoxic chemicals and chemical weapon precursors

Zebrafish are an attractive model for chemical screening due to their adaptability to high‐throughput platforms and ability to display complex phenotypes in response to chemical exposure. The photomotor response (PMR) is an established and reproducible phenotype of the zebrafish embryo, observed 24 h post‐fertilization in response to a predefined sequence of light stimuli. In an effort to evaluate the sensitivity and effectiveness of the zebrafish embryo PMR assay for toxicity screening, we analyzed chemicals known to cause both neurological effects and developmental abnormalities, following both short (1 h) and long (16 h+) duration exposures. These include chemicals that inhibit aerobic respiration (eg, cyanide), acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors (organophosphates pesticides) and several chemical weapon precursor compounds with variable toxicity profiles and poorly understood mechanisms of toxicity. We observed notable concentration‐responsive, phase‐specific effects in the PMR after exposure to chemicals with a known mechanism of action. Chemicals with a more general toxicity profile (toxic chemical weapon precursors) appeared to reduce all phases of the PMR without a notable phase‐specific effect. Overall, 10 of 20 chemicals evaluated elicited an effect on the PMR response and eight of those 10 chemicals were picked up in both the short‐ and long‐duration assays. In addition, the patterns of response uniquely differentiated chemical weapon precursor effects from those elicited by inhibitors of aerobic respiration and organophosphates. By providing a rapid screening test for neurobehavioral effects, the zebrafish PMR test could help identify potential mechanisms of action and target compounds for more detailed follow‐on toxicological evaluations. Approved for public release: distribution unlimited.