It may be natural to initially wonder if fish can be depressed; humans who experience depression often attribute their symptoms to various work and personal life failures, family hardships, or past trauma, none of which apply to fish. It has been shown, however, that fish have preferences for certain colors in their environment, certain types of shelter, and for members of their own species (Maia, Ferguson, Volpato, & Braithwaite 2017). In other words, fish are not mindless creatures that enjoy floating around all day, but rather are intelligent and curious enough to need mental stimulation.
This lack of stimulation is likely one of the causes of fish depression, and it is easy to see the similarity in humans. In fact, symptoms of depression in fish are similar as well, including lack of interest in exploring the surroundings and decreased appetite. While the genetics, biochemical pathways and specific compounds causing depression are unknown, zebrafish present a novel new way to research depression because of its neurobiological similarity in complexity of the mind in a relatively simple and easily studied organism.
References:
Maia, C. M., Ferguson, B., Volpato, G. L., & Braithwaite, V. A. (2017). Physical and psychological motivation tests of individual preferences in rainbow trout. Journal of Zoology,302(2), 108-118. doi:10.1111/jzo.12438
Murphy, H. (2017, October 16). Fish Depression Is Not a Joke. Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/science/depressed-fish.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront
Pittman, J. (2014, October 10). Views on Developing New Animal Models to Study Depression. Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/views-on-developing-new-animal-models-to-study-depression-jrd-117.pdf
References:
Maia, C. M., Ferguson, B., Volpato, G. L., & Braithwaite, V. A. (2017). Physical and psychological motivation tests of individual preferences in rainbow trout. Journal of Zoology,302(2), 108-118. doi:10.1111/jzo.12438
Murphy, H. (2017, October 16). Fish Depression Is Not a Joke. Retrieved October 16, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/16/science/depressed-fish.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=3&pgtype=sectionfront
Pittman, J. (2014, October 10). Views on Developing New Animal Models to Study Depression. Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/views-on-developing-new-animal-models-to-study-depression-jrd-117.pdf
The idea that fish can be depressed just as us humans is very interesting. Besides fish, I don't think they are the only ones who can become depressed, or let alone feel emotions. I definitely believe that animals are able to feel and experience emotions such as depression, we even witness this with our pets. For example, my friends dog gets really sad when she leaves and when she comes back home, he gets really excited.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this general idea of animals experiencing feelings and emotions can definitely play a role when it comes to animal ethics. Further research on this topic will allow us to understand animals better and how to care for them better and how to treat them. Further research would also bring contribution to us humans and in understanding depression better and how we can approach ideas on creating better anti-depressants or even how avoid depression in an organism by understanding these biochemical pathways.
This is a completely new and compelling way to think about depression. Humans often make the false assumption that we are the only organisms capable of processing emotion. Obviously after years of research this has been proven to be false. Though reading about a tiny little gold fish, the hypothesis of developing depression could definitely raise eyebrows. However, thinking deeper this idea makes complete sense. Most goldfish, whether purchased at a pet store or won at a carnival, tend to live very short lives. This was once thought to be a side effect of being placed under extreme stressors when moved to a new environment. It is very common for a young child to pick out or win a "new" fish and take the little guy home, only to tragically lose their beloved new friend within just a few days. Thinking about the symptoms of depression and how it may be triggered this would greatly link a stressful new environment to the development of depression in these tiny creatures. Though the thought of a small fish having a measurable level of depression is well depressing, this could propose a new model organism for examining and testing depression and its effects. This could range from simply understanding symptoms related to depression better to even the successful development of better antidepressants. This could potentially create a new way to help so many people in need of psychological interventions.
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