Pharmaceuticals that modulate calcium signaling are successfully used for treating high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, angina pectoris, and migraine. However, their widespread use in medicine and subsequent discharge in the environment is concerning, since studies in animal model systems have shown that subtle calcium manipulations during embryonic development can induce specific brain defects. The potential risk for human brain development is difficult to evaluate because of the large number of pharmaceuticals that can affect calcium signaling either directly or indirectly, a lack of basic information on the sensitive developmental times, and the potentially pleiotropic effects on brain development and behavior. Our long-term goal is to better understand how modulation of calcium signaling affects brain development and behavior. This long-term goal will be pursued using zebrafish as a model system. Zebrafish embryos develop rapidly and externally, are accessible to genetic and experimental manipulation, and develop predictable neural patterns and behaviors, which have been described in detail. The specific hypothesis that guides this project is that modulators of calcium signaling induce laterality defects in the brain by changing specific developmental processes during a limited window of sensitivity. This hypothesis will be tested in three specific aims that integrate approaches in cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, and ethology to provide an overview of the mechanisms by which modulators of calcium signaling affect development of the brain. 1) The first aim is to identify modulators of calcium signaling that induce laterality defects in the brain. We will determine the dose-response curves for defects in neural patterning and behavior and will examine potential synergistic effects. 2) The second aim is to identify calcium patterns that predict the development of specific laterality defects in the brain. Calcium patterns will be imaged in untreated embryos and in embryos exposed to modulators of calcium signaling that induce defects in brain development and behavior. 3) The third aim is to identify calcium-sensitive gene expression patterns that play a role in brain development. We will examine three sets of candidate genes that were selected based on their role in bilateral division of the brain, their role in development of left-right asymmetry in the brain, and their sensitivity to calcium modulation. The obtained results will provide a better understanding of calcium-sensitive mechanisms that play a role in the development of laterality in the brain, which is important for risk assessment and the development of preventative strategies.

Public Health Relevance

This project is focused on brain defects and behavioral defects caused by embryonic exposures to pharmaceuticals that modulate calcium signaling. The obtained results will provide a better understanding of the basic mechanisms by which modulators of calcium signaling affect brain development. These mechanisms are important, since human embryos may inadvertently be exposed to modulators of calcium signaling by maternal use of medicine during early pregnancy or by trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the environment and drinking water.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD060647-03
Application #
8214579
Study Section
Neurotoxicology and Alcohol Study Section (NAL)
Program Officer
Urv, Tiina K
Project Start
2010-03-01
Project End
2015-01-31
Budget Start
2012-02-01
Budget End
2013-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$251,044
Indirect Cost
$91,684
Name
Brown University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
Richendrfer, Holly; Creton, Robbert (2018) Cluster analysis profiling of behaviors in zebrafish larvae treated with antidepressants and pesticides. Neurotoxicol Teratol 69:54-62
Gonzalez, Sarah T; Remick, Dylan; Creton, Robbert et al. (2016) Effects of embryonic exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on anxiety-related behaviors in larval zebrafish. Neurotoxicology 53:93-101
Lovato, Ava K; Creton, Robbert; Colwill, Ruth M (2016) Effects of embryonic exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on larval zebrafish behavior. Neurotoxicol Teratol 53:1-10
Richendrfer, Holly; Creton, Robbert (2015) Chlorpyrifos and malathion have opposite effects on behaviors and brain size that are not correlated to changes in AChE activity. Neurotoxicology 49:50-8
Clift, Danielle E; Thorn, Robert J; Passarelli, Emily A et al. (2015) Effects of embryonic cyclosporine exposures on brain development and behavior. Behav Brain Res 282:117-24
Clift, Danielle; Richendrfer, Holly; Thorn, Robert J et al. (2014) High-throughput analysis of behavior in zebrafish larvae: effects of feeding. Zebrafish 11:455-61
O'Neale, Ashley; Ellis, Joseph; Creton, Robbert et al. (2014) Single stimulus learning in zebrafish larvae. Neurobiol Learn Mem 108:145-54
Richendrfer, Holly; Créton, Robbert (2013) Automated high-throughput behavioral analyses in zebrafish larvae. J Vis Exp :e50622
Richendrfer, Holly; Pelkowski, Sean D; Colwill, Ruth M et al. (2012) Developmental sub-chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos reduces anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish larvae. Neurotoxicol Teratol 34:458-65
Richendrfer, H; Pelkowski, S D; Colwill, R M et al. (2012) On the edge: pharmacological evidence for anxiety-related behavior in zebrafish larvae. Behav Brain Res 228:99-106

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications