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Animal Models of Depression: Molecular Perspectives

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Molecular and Functional Models in Neuropsychiatry

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 7))

Abstract

Much of the current understanding about the pathogenesis of altered mood, impaired concentration and neurovegetative symptoms in major depression has come from animal models. However, because of the unique and complex features of human depression, the generation of valid and insightful depression models has been less straightforward than modeling other disabling diseases like cancer or autoimmune conditions. Today’s popular depression models creatively merge ethologically valid behavioral assays with the latest technological advances in molecular biology and automated video-tracking. This chapter reviews depression assays involving acute stress (e.g., forced swim test), models consisting of prolonged physical or social stress (e.g., social defeat), models of secondary depression, genetic models, and experiments designed to elucidate the mechanisms of antidepressant action. These paradigms are critically evaluated in relation to their ease, validity and replicability, the molecular insights that they have provided, and their capacity to offer the next generation of therapeutics for depression.

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Abbreviations

5HT:

5-Hydroxytryptamine or serotonin

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CRF:

Corticotropin-releasing factor

CUS:

Chronic unpredictable stress

DBS:

Deep brain stimulation

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

ECT:

Electroconvulsive therapy

FST:

Forced swim test

GR:

Glucocorticoid receptor

HPA:

Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal

KO:

Knockout

LH:

Learned helplessness

SERT:

Serotonin transporter

TST:

Tail suspension test

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Acknowledgements and Financial Disclosures

Preparation of this review was supported by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health. EJN reports consulting income from Merck Research Laboratories and PsychoGenics, and a research alliance with AstraZeneca.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Vaishnav Krishnan

  2. Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Eric J. Nestler

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  1. Vaishnav Krishnan
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  2. Eric J. Nestler
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Correspondence to Vaishnav Krishnan .

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  1. Global Medical Excellence Cluster (GMEC), King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, United Kingdom

    Jim J. Hagan

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Krishnan, V., Nestler, E.J. (2011). Animal Models of Depression: Molecular Perspectives. In: Hagan, J. (eds) Molecular and Functional Models in Neuropsychiatry. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2010_108

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