Effects of bifenthrin on neurological development, behaviour and the expression of biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease in Nothobranchius furzeri

Details

Supervisors

Silvestre, Frédéric ; Page, Melissa

Faculty

Faculté des sciences

Degree label

Master [120] en biologie des organismes et écologie, à finalité approfondie

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's are influenced by various environmental factors, including exposure to neurotoxic pesticides. In this context, Nothobranchius furzeri, which is characterised by an accelerated ageing process, represents a model of choice for studying the effects of these substances on neuronal ageing, due to its similarities with mammals. The specific aim of this study was to assess the effects of bifenthrin, a neurotoxic pesticide widely used in the agri-food industry, on the behaviour, neurological development and gene expression of this model fish. In this study, larvae were exposed for 7 days, from day 7 post-hatching, to two concentrations of bifenthrin (5 μg/L and 10 μg/L) and compared with a control group. We assessed behavioural effects using light-dark and tapping tests on days 14 (2 weeks) to evaluate the immediate effects of exposure. To complete these tests, we selected genes involved in Alzheimer's disease-related syndromes, including appa, psen1, syn2a, manf, gfap, slc6a4a and elavl3. These genes were analysed by qPCR to identify any changes in their expression associated with exposure to the pollutant. Our results will contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which bifenthrin affects brain functions and associated behaviours, and to the assessment of its potential implications in neurodegenerative disorders.