Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: LARIÇA ALVES DE SOUZA

SWIMMING BEYOND THE DARKNESS: EVALUATION OF A ZEBRAFISH DEPRESSION MODEL AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON OPIOID DEPENDENCE.

depression, addiction, zebrafish, opioids, ayahuasca.

Depression is a public health problem, and has been identified as the fourth most common disease in the world (Moreira et al., 2022). The depressed individual presents behavioral symptoms of disinterest, anhedonia and low self-esteem (Barbosa et al., 2011). In this condition, drugs of abuse improve the individual's immediate condition (de Freitas et al., 2022). In this context, major depressive disorder (MDD) can commonly be accompanied by substance abuse or dependence, which can be referred to as substance use disorders (TRUS) (Davis et al., 2008). Treating depression linked to addiction becomes a major challenge, as the patient is required to be sober before starting it (Davis et al., 2008). Therefore, there is great importance in investigative research into the relationship between depression and drug addiction. In this logic, this work aims to develop a pharmacological and behavioral model for inducing depression in zebrafish, and evaluate the effects of depression on the development of active opioid-seeking behavior. Finally, we intend to evaluate the effect of Ayahuasca treatment on depression and active opioid seeking in zebrafish. According to Silva and Luchiari (2017), ayahuasca is a drink with hallucinogenic effects and therapeutic properties that can be combined for alternative treatment of anxiety, depression and addiction (Silva & Luchiari, 2017). Zebrafish have proven to be an excellent translational research model, as they have approximately 70% genetic homology with humans, in addition to being easy to manipulate to differentiate behavioral profiles (Moura., 2023), containing an environment that is easy to manipulate and observe, in addition to low maintenance cost, presenting a promising model for investigating opioid addiction related to depression and alternative therapies.