Altered brain activity in brevetoxin-exposed bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, visualized using in vivo 14C 2-deoxyglucose labeling

This study investigated the neurological effects of sublethal brevetoxin (PbTx-2) exposure in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) by measuring alterations in 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake in the brains of exposed fish. Changes in regional brain activity were quantified using digitized autoradiographs from exposed and control fish. Brains of brevetoxin-exposed fish had significantly higher labeling of 2-DG than brains of control fish. Regional increases in labeling were observed in the optic lobes, telencephalon, and cerebrum of PbTx-2 exposed fish. From these observations, we conclude that sublethal brevetoxin exposure in vivo in bluegill increases neurological stimulation, measured through quantification of [14C]2-DG uptake in the brain. Increases in the uptake of [14C]2-DG from this study may be indicative of differences in neural activity in the PbTx-exposed fish and are likely associated with the action of PbTx-2 on voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC), as well as neurological alterations in calcium and neurotransmitter release downstream resulting from VGSC activation. These techniques quantify physiological alterations in fish brain activity resulting from exposure to brevetoxin and possibly other harmful algal bloom toxins.