Animal models of psychosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 496-506
Author(s):  
Daniel Scott
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Behavioral Assessments ◽  
Validity Measures ◽  
Valid Animal Model

The creation of a valid animal model is of crucial importance to the study of the biological mechanisms underlying disease pathophysiology. This becomes difficult when studying psychiatric illness, most especially psychosis, as humans’ mental state is a strictly internally experienced phenomenon, and thus the biological readout of these conditions is often a behavioral assessment. Therefore, when designing appropriate animal model systems and behavioral assessments for the study of psychiatric illness, it is necessary that appropriate measures be taken to ensure the systems and tasks used fulfill rigorous demands of validity. This chapter discusses different forms of validity, expanding on the classical validity measures of face, predictive, and construct validity. Specific examples of behavioral assessments and animal preparations that adhere to these specific definitions of validity are presented. These include specific experimental paradigms that can be similarly assessed in humans with psychosis and animal models, methods to create an animal preparation based on known psychosis triggers and risk factors, and pharmacological means to demonstrate relevance to the human condition. The chapter argues for a systematic approach to design, verify, and validate an animal model system for research into psychosis specifically, and other psychiatric disorders more generally, based on these different classes of validity.

Recent advances in animal model experimentation in autism research

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mousumi Tania ◽  
Md. Asaduzzaman Khan ◽  
Kun Xia
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Important Place ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Model Study ◽  
Disease Biology ◽  
Animal Model Study

ObjectiveAutism, a lifelong neuro-developmental disorder is a uniquely human condition. Animal models are not the perfect tools for the full understanding of human development and behavior, but they can be an important place to start. This review focused on the recent updates of animal model research in autism.MethodsWe have reviewed the publications over the last three decades, which are related to animal model study in autism.ResultsAnimal models are important because they allow researchers to study the underlying neurobiology in a way that is not possible in humans. Improving the availability of better animal models will help the field to increase the development of medicines that can relieve disabling symptoms. Results from the therapeutic approaches are encouraging remarkably, since some behavioral alterations could be reversed even when treatment was performed on adult mice. Finding an animal model system with similar behavioral tendencies as humans is thus vital for understanding the brain mechanisms, supporting social motivation and attention, and the manner in which these mechanisms break down in autism. The ongoing studies should therefore increase the understanding of the biological alterations associated with autism as well as the development of knowledge-based treatments therapy for those struggling with autism.ConclusionIn this review, we have presented recent advances in research based on animal models of autism, raising hope for understanding the disease biology for potential therapeutic intervention to improve the quality of life of autism individuals.

Centromere identity and function put to use: construction and transfer of mammalian artificial chromosomes to animal models

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-192
Author(s):  
Ye Yang ◽  
Michael A. Lampson ◽  
Ben E. Black
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Artificial Chromosomes ◽  
Conventional Expression ◽  
And Function

Abstract Mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) are widely used as gene expression vectors and have various advantages over conventional expression vectors. We review and discuss breakthroughs in MAC construction, initiation of functional centromeres allowing their faithful inheritance, and transfer from cell culture to animal model systems. These advances have contributed to advancements in synthetic biology, biomedical research, and applications in industry and in the clinic.

scholarly journals Understanding Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Airway Epithelial Repair: Selecting the Most Appropriate Animal Models

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Yahaya
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Airway Epithelial ◽  
Large Animal Models ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Epithelium Regeneration

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the process of regeneration and repair of airway epithelial structures demands close characterization of the associated cellular and molecular events. The choice of an animal model system to study these processes and the role of lung stem cells is debatable since ideally the chosen animal model should offer a valid comparison with the human lung. Species differences may include the complex three-dimensional lung structures, cellular composition of the lung airway as well as transcriptional control of the molecular events in response to airway epithelium regeneration, and repair following injury. In this paper, we discuss issues related to the study of the lung repair and regeneration including the role of putative stem cells in small- and large-animal models. At the end of this paper, the author discuss the potential for using sheep as a model which can help bridge the gap between small-animal model systems and humans.

Animal Model Systems for the Study of Alcohol Teratology

2005 ◽  
Vol 230 (6) ◽  
pp. 389-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Cudd
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Basic Science ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Model System ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Large Animal ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol

The incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome has not been declining even though alcohol has been established as a teratogen and significant efforts have been made to educate women not to abuse alcohol during pregnancy. In addition to further educational efforts, strategies to prevent or mitigate the damages of prenatal alcohol exposure are now under development. Animal models will play a significant role in the effort to develop these strategies. Because prenatal alcohol exposure causes damage by multiple mechanisms, depending on dose, pattern, and timing of exposure, and because no species of animal is the same as the human, the choice of which animal model to use is complicated. To choose the best animal model, it is necessary to consider the specific scientific question that is being addressed and which model system is best able to addressthe question. Animal models that are currently in use include nonhuman primates, rodents (rats, mice, guinea pigs), large animal models (pig and sheep), the chick, and simple animals, including fish, insects, and round worms. Each model system has strengths and weaknesses, depending on the question being addressed. Simple animal models are useful in exploring basic science questions that relate to molecular biology and genetics that cannot be explored in higher-order animals, whereas higher-order animal models are useful in studying complex behaviors and validating basic science findings in an animal that is more like the human. Substantial progress in this field will require the judicious use of multiple scientific approaches that use different animal model systems.

scholarly journals Baboon Model for the Study of Endometriosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 637-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleophas M Kyama ◽  
Atilla Mihalyi ◽  
Daniel Chai ◽  
Peter Simsa ◽  
Jason M Mwenda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Molecular Changes ◽  
Baboon Model ◽  
Insight Into

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent disease and is now recognized as an enigmatic disease owing to its various clinical manifestations and locations. The lack of a reliable and specific method for the early detection of endometriosis often results in delayed diagnosis. So far, research has born inadequate findings regarding understanding the basic etiology or pathophysiology of endometriosis. Animal models that accurately represent the cellular and molecular changes associated with the initiation and progression of human endometriosis have significant potential to facilitate the development of better methods for the early detection and treatment of endometriosis. A number of animal model systems have been developed for the study of this disease. These models replicate many of the known salient features of human endometriosis. This review provides an insight into the use of the baboon model for studies focused on understanding human endometriosis.

Animal models of pulmonary arterial hypertension: the hope for etiological discovery and pharmacological cure

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (6) ◽  
pp. L1013-L1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt R. Stenmark ◽  
Barbara Meyrick ◽  
Nazzareno Galie ◽  
Wolter J. Mooi ◽  
Ivan F. McMurtry
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Preclinical Model ◽  
Prognostic Features ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Insight Into

At present, six groups of chronic pulmonary hypertension (PH) are described. Among these, group 1 (and 1′) comprises a group of diverse diseases termed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that have several pathophysiological, histological, and prognostic features in common. PAH is a particularly severe and progressive form of PH that frequently leads to right heart failure and premature death. The diagnosis of PAH must include a series of defined clinical parameters, which extend beyond mere elevations in pulmonary arterial pressures and include precapillary PH, pulmonary hypertensive arteriopathy (usually with plexiform lesions), slow clinical onset (months or years), and a chronic time course (years) characterized by progressive deterioration. What appears to distinguish PAH from other forms of PH is the severity of the arteriopathy observed, the defining characteristic of which is “plexogenic arteriopathy.” The pathogenesis of this arteriopathy remains unclear despite intense investigation in a variety of animal model systems. The most commonly used animal models (“classic” models) are rodents exposed to either hypoxia or monocrotaline. Newer models, which involve modification of classic approaches, have been developed that exhibit more severe PH and vascular lesions, which include neointimal proliferation and occlusion of small vessels. In addition, genetically manipulated mice have been generated that have provided insight into the role of specific molecules in the pulmonary hypertensive process. Unfortunately, at present, there is no perfect preclinical model that completely recapitulates human PAH. All models, however, have provided and will continue to provide invaluable insight into the numerous pathways that contribute to the development and maintenance of PH. Use of both classic and newly developed animal models will allow continued rigorous testing of new hypotheses regarding pathogenesis and treatment. This review highlights progress that has been made in animal modeling of this important human condition.

scholarly journals Experimental Animal Model Systems for Understanding Salivary Secretory Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8423
Author(s):  
Ji-Youn Kim ◽  
Chang-Hyeon An ◽  
Jae-Young Kim ◽  
Jae-Kwang Jung
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Experimental Animal ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Methodological Considerations ◽  
Experimental Findings

Salivary secretory disorders are life-disrupting pathologic conditions with a high prevalence, especially in the geriatric population. Both patients and clinicians frequently feel helpless and get frustrated by the currently available therapeutic strategies, which consist mainly of palliative managements. Accordingly, to unravel the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective and curative strategies, several animal models have been developed and introduced. Experimental findings from these models have contributed to answer biological and biomedical questions. This review aims to provide various methodological considerations used for the examination of pathological fundamentals in salivary disorders using animal models and to summarize the obtained findings. The information provided in this review could provide plausible solutions for overcoming salivary disorders and also suggest purpose-specific experimental animal systems.

Difficulties with Animal Models: Chimpanzee Research

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-597
Author(s):  
Stephen Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Human Physiology ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
Interspecies Differences ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Model Condition

Animal models are generally used to elucidate human physiology or pathology. However, attempts to extrapolate animal model findings to humans are undermined by differences in the aetiology and natural history between any animal model condition and the analogous human condition, and by unavoidable interspecies differences in anatomy and physiology. Even when working with species “closely related” to humans, such as chimpanzees, the animal model paradigm is fundamentally unsound. Unfortunately, few animal researchers seriously question the utility of animal models, and consequently they rarely consider other, perhaps more efficient and more reliable, means of conducting biomedical research.

Inflammational Animal Models for Schizophrenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 223 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Juckel
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Immune Activation ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Synaptic Connections ◽  
Preventive Interventions ◽  
Immunological System

Abstract. Inflammational-immunological processes within the pathophysiology of schizophrenia seem to play an important role. Early signals of neurobiological changes in the embryonal phase of brain in later patients with schizophrenia might lead to activation of the immunological system, for example, of cytokines and microglial cells. Microglia then induces – via the neurotoxic activities of these cells as an overreaction – a rarification of synaptic connections in frontal and temporal brain regions, that is, reduction of the neuropil. Promising inflammational animal models for schizophrenia with high validity can be used today to mimic behavioral as well as neurobiological findings in patients, for example, the well-known neurochemical alterations of dopaminergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic, and other neurotransmitter systems. Also the microglial activation can be modeled well within one of this models, that is, the inflammational PolyI:C animal model of schizophrenia, showing a time peak in late adolescence/early adulthood. The exact mechanism, by which activated microglia cells then triggers further neurodegeneration, must now be investigated in broader detail. Thus, these animal models can be used to understand the pathophysiology of schizophrenia better especially concerning the interaction of immune activation, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. This could also lead to the development of anti-inflammational treatment options and of preventive interventions.

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