Animal models for the discovery of novel drugs for post-traumatic stress disorder

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Existing pharmacological treatments for PTSD are limited and have been used primarily because of their effectiveness in other psychiatric conditions. To generate novel, PTSD specific pharmacotherapy, researchers must utilize animal models to assess the efficacy of experimental drugs.

Areas covered

This review includes a discussion of factors that should be considered when developing an animal model of PTSD, as well as descriptions of the most commonly used models. Researchers have utilized physical stressors, psychological stressors, or a combination of the two to induce PTSD-like physiological and behavioral sequelae in animals. Such models have provided researchers with a valuable tool to examine the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the condition.

Expert opinion

PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder that manifests as different symptom clusters in different individuals. Thus, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach to modeling the disorder in animals. Preclinical investigators must adopt a concentrated effort aimed at modeling specific PTSD subtypes and the distinct symptom profiles that result from specific types of human trauma. Moreover, researchers have focused so much on modeling a single PTSD syndrome in animals that studies examining only specific facets of the disorder are largely ignored. Future research employing animal models of PTSD requires greater focus on the nuances of PTSD.

KEYWORDS:

• Stress
• animal model
• PTSD
• hyperarousal
• trauma
• fear

Article highlights

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex, heterogeneous psychiatric condition that is challenging to model in its entirety in animals.

• Common animal models of PTSD employ physical (e.g., electric shock), psychological (e.g., predator stress), or a combination of stressors to produce PTSD-like alterations in physiology and behavior.

• It is still unclear what symptoms of PTSD must be mimicked in animals for a model of the disorder to be considered valid.

• Greater focus must be placed on modeling specific subtypes of PTSD or PTSD phenotypes that result from specific types of trauma.

• Models of PTSD that focus on specific symptoms of the disorder may be more fruitful than models that attempt to model all aspects of the condition.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript has not been funded.