Scientists at Umeå University in Sweden tested small quantities of the drug oxazepam, which is used to treat anxiety, in European perch, after observing that fish that swam through areas with the drug in the water became bolder. They say that "what the drug does is remove some of the fear that the very small fish experience. [They] become less interested in staying close with others – staying close to others is a well-known defense system to avoid predators. They become less afraid of exploring new areas, so they just go out to search for food and become more effective in finding and consuming food." They also mention the effects these fish could have on the evolution of the species, as fish that venture into new areas will eventually change the natural diversity.
Cassidy Lee, Hour 1
I think that it is really cool that anxiety drugs are working on other animals than humans! It doesn't shock me that the fish became more courageous when they swam in the water with the drug. Anxiety is a feeling of worry or uneasiness. If fish are getting the medication into their tiny little bodies, the worry seems to go away, and they react as humans would if we were given doses too large for us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would love to add these NOS themes:
-Role of motivation and curiosity, due to the fact that they were interested in the fact that the fish became bolder.
-Science is collaborative, since there were multiple students that worked on this in Umea University.