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Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii as a naturalistic mammalian model of obsessive-compulsive disorder: current status and future challenges

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Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition, characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behavior. Animal models of OCD arguably have the potential to contribute to our understanding of the condition. Deer mice (Permomyscus maniculatus bairdii) are characterized by stereotypic behavior which is reminiscent of OCD symptomology, and which may serve as a naturalistic animal model of this disorder. Moreover, a range of deer mouse repetitive behaviors may be representative of different compulsive-like phenotypes. This paper will review work on deer mouse behavior, and evaluate the extent to which this serves as a valid and useful model of OCD. We argue that findings over the past decade indicate that the deer mouse model has face, construct and predictive validity.

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Fig. 1: Varying intra- and inter-trial expression of stereotypy.
Fig. 2: Stereotypy intensity versus time spent engaging in high stereotypical activity over 12 h.
Fig. 3: The cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical (CSTC) circuit.

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Correspondence to De Wet Wolmarans.

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Wolmarans, D.W., Scheepers, I.M., Stein, D.J. et al. Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii as a naturalistic mammalian model of obsessive-compulsive disorder: current status and future challenges. Metab Brain Dis 33, 443–455 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-017-0161-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-017-0161-7

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