PFOS induces behavioral alterations, including spontaneous hyperactivity that is corrected by dexamfetamine in zebrafish larvae

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 16;9(4):e94227. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094227. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a widely spread environmental contaminant. It accumulates in the brain and has potential neurotoxic effects. The exposure to PFOS has been associated with higher impulsivity and increased ADHD prevalence. We investigated the effects of developmental exposure to PFOS in zebrafish larvae, focusing on the modulation of activity by the dopaminergic system. We exposed zebrafish embryos to 0.1 or 1 mg/L PFOS (0.186 or 1.858 µM, respectively) and assessed swimming activity at 6 dpf. We analyzed the structure of spontaneous activity, the hyperactivity and the habituation during a brief dark period (visual motor response), and the vibrational startle response. The findings in zebrafish larvae were compared with historical data from 3 months old male mice exposed to 0.3 or 3 mg/kg/day PFOS throughout gestation. Finally, we investigated the effects of dexamfetamine on the alterations in spontaneous activity and startle response in zebrafish larvae. We found that zebrafish larvae exposed to 0.1 mg/L PFOS habituate faster than controls during a dark pulse, while the larvae exposed to 1 mg/L PFOS display a disorganized pattern of spontaneous activity and persistent hyperactivity. Similarly, mice exposed to 0.3 mg/kg/day PFOS habituated faster than controls to a new environment, while mice exposed to 3 mg/kg/day PFOS displayed more intense and disorganized spontaneous activity. Dexamfetamine partly corrected the hyperactive phenotype in zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, developmental exposure to PFOS in zebrafish induces spontaneous hyperactivity mediated by a dopaminergic deficit, which can be partially reversed by dexamfetamine in zebrafish larvae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Akathisia, Drug-Induced
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / metabolism
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Dextroamphetamine / pharmacology*
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Fluorocarbons / metabolism
  • Fluorocarbons / toxicity*
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Swimming
  • Zebrafish / physiology*

Substances

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Fluorocarbons
  • perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
  • Dextroamphetamine

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR and Formas grants), Karolinska Institutet research grants, and by the Swedish Society for Medical Research (SSMF). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.