Probing Traumatic Brain Injury Pathophysiology: Lessons from the Zebrafish Model

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue worldwide, as its intricate pathophysiology makes it difficult to develop effective treatments. This chapter explores the use of the zebrafish (ZF) model as a powerful tool for studying the complexities of TBI pathophysiology. Zebrafish provide distinctive benefits, such as genetic manipulability, optical clarity, and swift embryonic growth, rendering them an optimal model organism for investigating neurotrauma. We investigate the molecular, cellular, and behavioural alterations observed in zebrafish after inducing traumatic brain injury (TBI), providing insights into the crucial pathways implicated in the response to injury, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and potential regeneration processes. In addition, we explore how knowledge acquired from studying zebrafish can contribute to translational research endeavours focused on creating innovative therapeutic approaches for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans. This chapter provides a thorough summary of the zebrafish model’s contributions to our knowledge of TBI pathophysiology. It also emphasises the potential of this model to improve clinical management and treatment outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries.