The Application of Gamma-Range Auditory Steady-State Responses in Animal Models: A Semi-Structured Literature Review

Background: Gamma-range auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) are emerging as promising translational biomarkers of neural network function. While extensively studied in human neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental research, their application in animal models has expanded in recent years, providing mechanistic insights into disease-related neural dynamics. However, methodological approaches vary widely, findings remain fragmented, and outcomes are not easily generalized. Methods: A literature search was conducted in March 2025 across PubMed and Scopus to identify studies investigating gamma-range ASSRs (30-100 Hz) in animal models with relevance to psychiatric and developmental conditions. Results: Most studies employed rodents, with a smaller number involving non-human primates, and used pharmacological, genetic, lesion-based, or developmental manipulations relevant to schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and related conditions. ASSRs were highly sensitive to NMDA receptor antagonism, state- and trait-related factors, and exhibited region- and layer-specific generation patterns centered on the auditory cortex. Less common paradigms, such as chirps and gap-in-noise, also demonstrated translational potential. Conclusions: Animal research confirms that gamma-range ASSRs provide a sensitive, cross-species readout of circuit dysfunctions observed in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. To maximize their translational utility, future work should prioritize methodological harmonization, systematic inclusion of sex and behavioral state factors, and replication across laboratories. Strengthening these aspects will enhance the value of ASSRs as biomarkers for early detection, patient stratification, and treatment monitoring in clinical psychiatry.