Animal models of anxiety in mice

Abstract

Among the multiple possibilities to study human pathologies, animal models remain one of the most used pathways. They allow to access to unavailable answers in human patients and to learn about mechanisms of action of drugs. Primarily developed with rats, animal models in anxiety have been adapted with a mixed success for mice, an easy-to-use mammal with better genetic possibilities than rats. In this review, we have focused on the most used animal models in anxiety in mice. Both conditioned and unconditioned models are described, to represent all types of animal models of anxiety. Behavioural studies require strong care for variable parameters, linked to environment, handling or paradigm; we have discussed about this topic. Finally, we focused on the consequences of re-exposure to the apparatus. Test-retest procedures can bring in new answers, but should be deeply studied, to revalidate the whole paradigm as an animal model of anxiety.

Animal models of anxiety disorders and stress

“…Even if one considers that current animal models aim to reflect several factors (such as low cost, speed, and reproducibility) in addition to the dominant theoretical views related to the pathogenesis of specific disorders and the accepted action mechanism of psychotropic drugs, they have produced a significant contribution to the discovery of new drugs and the understanding of the neurobiology of psychiatric diseases. 8 Despite the theoretical idea that a model should reproduce all features of the phenomenon under investigation, this is rarely (if ever) achieved, reflecting the complex manifestations of psychiatric disorders and the huge cognitive differences between humans and laboratory animals (mainly rodents, e.g., rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs). Animal models of anxiety, therefore, do not intend to replicate all features and symptoms of a specific anxiety disorder but rather generate a state of anxiety that could be related to these disorders.…”

Evaluation of the Antidepressant-like Activity of the Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Rosa Abyssinica Lindley (Rosaceae) Using Rodent Models of Depression

“…Previous studies indicated that tannic acid has been shown to possess a non-selective inhibitory effect on MAO, causing a general elevation of monoaminergic neurotransmission in the brain [45]. Other polyphenolic compounds such as rosmarinic acid and its metabolite have also been reported to have antidepressant activity.…”

The effect of thiamin tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide on behavior of juvenile DBA/2J mice

“…animal filters out extraneous information and protects against sensory 234 overload for (review see (Swerdlow et al, 2008) Swerdlow et al, 2008). In rodents the startle response itself is commonly 240 used to assess emotional reactivity and the effects of anti-anxiety drugs 241 (Bourin et al, 2007;Grillon, 2008;McCaughran et al, 2000). Species and 242 strains within species differ in their regulation of startle and PPI 243 (Swerdlow et al, 2008).…”