Comparative Anatomy of the Central Nervous System of Danio Rerio and Mammals

Abstract To date, the Danio rerio has become one of the most popular model organisms in biomedical research, particularly for studying pathologies of the nervous system. Its widespread use is driven by several key advantages: external fertilization, high fecundity, rapid embryonic development, and the transparency of embryos during early stages. These features enable researchers to obtain initial experimental results within 24 hours of injection or toxic exposure, while facilitating detailed visual monitoring of developmental processes. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence supports the structural homology between the central nervous system of Danio rerio and mammals, and this understanding continues to be refined through advanced molecular and genetic techniques. This makes the zebrafish an invaluable model for neurobiology. This review aims to systematize and compare available data in order to identify homologous structures. By examining both earlier and contemporary studies, the review provides a refined definition of CNS homologies between Danio rerio and mammals. The synthesized data suggest that Danio rerio is a robust model for investigating fundamental mechanisms of brain development and function, as well as for modeling human neurodegenerative diseases.