Of mice and men: modelling post-stroke depression experimentally

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Stroke Research

Background:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) affects at least one-third of stroke survivors.
• PSD is clinically significant, linked to increased mortality, slower recovery, and worse functional outcomes.
• Understanding PSD mechanisms is crucial for improving patient recovery and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence for effective rodent models of post-stroke depression.
• To explore the neurobiological mechanisms underlying PSD, including cellular plasticity, neuroendocrine dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.
• To discuss the translational relevance of preclinical findings for human stroke recovery.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on post-stroke depression models in rodents.
• Analysis of studies investigating neurobiological mechanisms in experimental models.
• Examination of clinical and preclinical evidence for antidepressant efficacy in stroke recovery.

Main Results:

• Rodent models effectively replicate key aspects of post-stroke depression.
• These models allow for the investigation of cellular plasticity, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative pathways.
• Evidence suggests 5-hydroxytryptaminergic antidepressants show promise for treating PSD in subacute and chronic phases.

Conclusions:

• Experimental models provide valuable tools for understanding the neurobiology of post-stroke depression.
• Translational research should extend beyond acute endpoints to improve clinical relevance.
• Antidepressants targeting the 5-hydroxytryptaminergic system may offer novel therapeutic strategies for stroke recovery.