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How valuable are animal models in defining antidepressant activity?
M Bourin1, A. J Fiocco, F Clenet
1Faculté de Medecine et GIS Médicament, JE 2029 Neurobiologie de l'anxieté, Faculté de Medecine BP 53508, 1 rue Gaston Veil, F44035 Nantes cedex 01, France.
Human Psychopharmacology
|October 31, 2002
Summary
Animal models for depression lack full clinical relevance, posing challenges for antidepressant drug development. Despite limitations, these models remain crucial for evaluating drug efficacy and understanding depression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Animal models are used to screen antidepressants, but their clinical relevance is debated.
- Valid models require predictive, face, and construct validity, which current models often lack.
- Models include stress-based (learned helplessness, forced swimming, chronic mild stress) and deficit-based (olfactory bulbectomy) approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the validity and utility of current animal models of depression.
- To identify challenges in antidepressant research using animal models.
- To discuss the ongoing role of animal models in understanding depression.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on animal models of depression.
- Analysis of model validity criteria: predictive, face, and construct validity.
- Comparison of stress-based versus deficit-based models.
Main Results:
- No commonly used animal model fully meets all validity criteria for depression.
- Antidepressant time-to-onset estimation and inter-laboratory reproducibility remain significant challenges.
- Improvements to existing tests are often inadequately validated.
Conclusions:
- Despite limitations in unequivocally establishing validity, animal models are indispensable tools.
- They are essential for assessing potential antidepressant activity and mechanisms of action.
- Animal models aid in exploring the complex and heterogeneous nature of depression.