Animal models of mood disorders: recent developments : Current Opinion in Psychiatry (original) (raw)

Mood disorders

aDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

bDepartment of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

Correspondence to John F. Cryan PhD, School of Pharmacy, University College, Cork, Ireland Tel: +353 21 4901676; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Purpose of review

The wide spectrum of disruptions that characterizes depression and bipolar illness highlights the difficulties researchers are posed with as they try to mimic these disorders in the laboratory. Nonetheless, numerous attempts have been made to create rodent models of mood disorders, or at least models of the symptoms of depression and bipolar illness. Despite many advances, however, there are no satisfactory animal models available. The need for improved animal models for identifying new antidepressants and providing insights into the neuropathology underlying the disease is critical. This review focuses on the attempts to improve current paradigms and also illustrates examples where current paradigms are used to uncover novel molecular targets of antidepressants.

Recent findings

Currently, there is a shift away from traditional animal models to a more focused research dealing with an endophenotype-style approach, genetic models and incorporation of new findings from human neuroimaging and genetic studies.

Summary

Endophenotype-based modelling of depression and bipolar illness is opening up more tractable avenues for understanding the neurobiological and genetic bases of these disorders. Further, advances in the clinical dissection of the psychiatric illnesses using molecular genetics, coupled with functional neuroimaging techniques, promises to yield better translational animal models and hence more fruitful therapeutic targets.