Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Influence of Psychotropic Drugs on Developmental Gene Expression in Zebrafish
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biology
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dena Weinberger
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Recent studies have provided evidence of the relationship between environmental factors and susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders. Some findings suggest that long-lasting disruptions in the structure and function of the nervous system are frequently caused by prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. The inappropriate use of both legal and illegal drugs has long been a major issue in the United States. A substantial amount of prescribed and illicit psychotropic drugs is excreted through urine and feces every day. Wastewater treatment does not effectively remove drug residues, resulting in contaminated water being discharged into surface water sources, which ultimately reaches the drinking water that is consumed by humans and animals. Although the drug levels detected in source water bodies are low, the real impact of the mixture of these low drug doses on the nervous system remains unknown. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are used as a toxicity model due to their significant neurological resemblance to humans. Our central hypothesis is that developmental exposure to low levels of psychoactive drugs through contaminated water will significantly affect protein and gene expression involved in the development and function of the nervous system.
Spring Scholars Week 2025
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Influence of Psychotropic Drugs on Developmental Gene Expression in Zebrafish
Recent studies have provided evidence of the relationship between environmental factors and susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders. Some findings suggest that long-lasting disruptions in the structure and function of the nervous system are frequently caused by prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse. The inappropriate use of both legal and illegal drugs has long been a major issue in the United States. A substantial amount of prescribed and illicit psychotropic drugs is excreted through urine and feces every day. Wastewater treatment does not effectively remove drug residues, resulting in contaminated water being discharged into surface water sources, which ultimately reaches the drinking water that is consumed by humans and animals. Although the drug levels detected in source water bodies are low, the real impact of the mixture of these low drug doses on the nervous system remains unknown. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are used as a toxicity model due to their significant neurological resemblance to humans. Our central hypothesis is that developmental exposure to low levels of psychoactive drugs through contaminated water will significantly affect protein and gene expression involved in the development and function of the nervous system.