Application of Cognitive Bias Testing in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: A Mini-Review Based on Animal Studies

Abstract

Cognitive biases can arise from cognitive processing under affective states and reflect the impact of emotion on cognition. In animal studies, the existing methods for detecting animal emotional state are still relatively limited, and cognitive bias test has gradually become an important supplement. In recent years, its effectiveness in animal research related to neuropsychiatric disorders has been widely verified. Some studies have found that cognitive bias test is more sensitive than traditional test methods such as forced swimming test and sucrose preference test in detecting emotional state. Therefore, it has great potential to become an important tool to measure the influence of neuropsychiatric disorder-associated emotions on cognitive processing. Moreover, it also can be used in early drug screening to effectively assess the potential effects or side effects of drugs on affective state prior to clinical trials. In this mini-review, we summarize the application of cognitive bias tests in animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and pain. We also discussed its critical value in the identification of neuropsychiatric disorders and the validation of therapeutic approaches.

Assessing cognitive biases induced by acute formalin or hotplate treatment: an animal study using affective bias test

“…This observation carries substantial implications for research in the emotional and cognitive aspects of pain. Previous studies have shown that cognitive bias testing, including ABT, can serve as a tool for assessing negative affective states caused by animal neuropsychiatric disorders ( Zhang et al, 2022 ). Multiple studies by Robinson’s research group found that inducing animals to be in a putative negative affective state, such as through the administration of corticosterone, or exposure to acute psychosocial stress, elicits negative affective biases ( Stuart et al, 2013 ; Hinchcliffe et al, 2017 ; Stuart et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Harding et al demonstrated for the first time in 2004 that rats in negative affective states exhibit negative explanatory biases due to reduced expectations of rewards when faced with ambiguous cues ( Harding et al, 2004 ). Till now, numerous animal studies have explored cognitive biases for assessing affective changes in animals ( Zhang et al, 2022 ). However, the investigation of pain-induced cognitive biases in animal models is relatively new, and recent studies have shown promising developments.…”