Zebrafish

Recent articles

Research image of zebrafish forebrains.

Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish

The findings add to the growing evidence that genes with disparate functions can play similar roles in brain development.

By Peter Hess
12 May 2023 | 4 min read
Research heatmap showing mice associating more with familiar mice than unfamiliar ones.

Loss of autism-linked gene dampens social interactions in animals

Mice and zebrafish missing the GIGYF1 gene show social traits reminiscent of autism, though the molecular underpinnings are unclear.

By Holly Barker
28 April 2023 | 4 min read

DNA unwinder tied to social behaviors in mice, zebrafish

Blocking the enzyme, called TOP2A, in embryos makes the animals less inclined to seek companionship later in life.

By Niko McCarty
16 December 2022 | 4 min read

Zebrafish social behavior swims into mainstream

New studies bolster the idea that zebrafish models can say something meaningful about social behavior in autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
17 November 2022 | 6 min read

Screening zebrafish autism models: A quick take at SfN with Ellen Hoffman

Zebrafish with mutations in 10 different autism-linked genes show a range of unique and shared phenotypes.

By Spectrum
16 November 2022 | 2 min watch

Decoding sensory brain networks: A quick take at SfN with Ethan Scott

Scott describes his work on sound processing differences in the brains of zebrafish that model fragile X syndrome.

By Spectrum
15 November 2022 | 2 min watch
Three scans of zebrafish brains.

Zebrafish point to new gene involved in brain overgrowth, autism

The gene, YTHDF2, has not previously been linked to autism.

By Katharine Gammon
1 November 2022 | 3 min read
Three views of zebrafish.

Novel gene linked to brain size in autistic people

The gene, YTHDF2, may be one of several that contribute to an autism subtype marked by an unusually big brain.

By Laura Dattaro
16 May 2022 | 2 min read
Scientist Ethan Scott takes aim with a bow and arrow in his backyard.

Beyond the bench: A conversation with Ethan Scott

Ethan Scott packs his lab with math, physics and computer science experts to decode sensory brain networks in zebrafish models of autism.

By Delia O’Hara
13 September 2021 | 9 min read
Photograph of a researcher holding a zebra finch.

Fish, frogs, flies and other fauna in scientific firsts

Over the past century, scientists have used a variety of animal models to advance their understanding of the developing brain and autism.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
8 September 2021 | 1 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Illustration of a hand drawing lines between different points on the outline of a brain.

Beyond Newtonian causation in neuroscience: Embracing complex causality

The traditional mechanistic framework must give way to a richer understanding of how brains actually generate behavior over time.

By Luiz Pessoa
22 September 2025 | 6 min read
Photograph of a real bird looking at a model bird.

Robots marry natural neuroscience, experimental control to probe animal interactions

Faux fish and birds are helping researchers decipher some of the rules that govern schooling and squawking, among other social behaviors.

By Calli McMurray
19 September 2025 | 7 min read
Research image visualizing genetic variation.

Long-read sequencing unearths overlooked autism-linked variants

Strips that are thousands of base pairs in length offer better resolution of structural variants and tandem repeats, according to two independent preprints.

By Natalia Mesa
18 September 2025 | 6 min read

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