Anxiolytic-like effects of noribogaine in zebrafish.

Noribogaine, the main psychoactive metabolite of ibogaine, produces robust anxiolytic-like behavior in adult zebrafish without affecting locomotion. In a 5-minute novel tank test following acute 20-minute immersion in 1, 5, or 10 mg/L noribogaine, treated fish spent more time and made more transitions to the top half compartment and showed fewer freezing bouts compared to controls. These results indicate noribogaine modulates components of the acute stress response related to emotionality and anxiety, suggesting it may be a potentially useful non-sedative anxiolytic agent.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Noribogaine is the main psychoactive metabolite of the hallucinogenic drug ibogaine, and is a particularly interesting compound potentially useful to treat dependence and various psychiatric disorders. Here, we report the effects of noribogaine on anxiety and locomotion in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a new promising model organism in neurobehavioral and psychopharmacological research. Adult zebrafish were subjected to the 5min novel tank test (NTT) following an acute, 20-min drug immersion in 1, 5 and 10mg/L noribogaine. Overall, noribogaine produced robust anxiolytic-like behavior in zebrafish (increasing the time spent and transitions to the top half compartment and reducing freezing bouts) without overt effects on fish locomotion. Taken together, these results indicate that noribogaine modulates the components of the acute stress response related to emotionality and anxiety behaviors, implicating this drug as a potentially useful non-sedative anxiolytic agent.