Authors: Jingsi Zhang, Shanshan Wang, Zhaoya Jin, Limin Ma, Yanhong Wang, Huifang Zhang, Jisheng Nie, and Qiao Niu
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 4 September 2025
Researchers use zebrafish on Maestro Pro MEA to study how aluminum nanoparticles affect brain function.
Exposure to aluminum nanoparticles has raised growing concerns about its potential effects on brain health, particularly on learning and memory. To better understand the underlying mechanisms, researchers in this study investigated how nano-alumina influences synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in zebrafish. Their work focused on the REST–BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway, a key regulator of neuronal growth and communication.
Using Axion BioSystems’ next-generation Maestro Pro multielectrode array (MEA) system, the team measured zebrafish brain electrophysiological activity, providing functional insight into how nano-alumina disrupts normal neural signaling. The results revealed altered neuronal firing patterns consistent with impaired synaptic function and cognitive decline.
Overall, the findings highlight the importance of REST-mediated regulation in neurotoxicity and demonstrate how advanced electrophysiological tools can help link molecular signaling changes to real-time network activity in vivo.
