Aspects of animal models for major neuropsychiatric disorders

Abstract

We will review the main animal models for the major neuropsychiatric disorders, focusing on schizophrenia, Alzheimer?s disease, Parkinson?s disease, depression, anxiety and autism. Although these mental disorders are specifically human pathologies and therefore impossible to perfectly replicate in animals, the use of experimental animals is based on the physiological and anatomical similarities between humans and animals such as the rat, and mouse, and on the fact that 99% of human and murine genomes are shared. Pathological conditions in animals can be assessed by manipulating the metabolism of neurotransmitters, through various behavioral tests, and by determining biochemical parameters that can serve as important markers of disorders.