Animal Models of Tic Disorders

Abstract

AbstractAnimal models of Tourette syndrome (TS) and other tic disorders are powerful research tools to advance our knowledge of the neurodevelopmental and molecular foundations of these disorders. Assessing the reliability and translational validity of an animal model of TS is a particularly intricate task due to the heterogeneous presentation, multifactorial ontogeny, and neurobiological complexity of this disorder. Even with these limits, recent advances in understanding the semiology and ontogeny of tics and their accompanying phenotypes are paving the way for new refinements in the characterization and validation of animal models. In addition, the development of novel models reflecting the impact of genetic and environmental vulnerability factors is greatly expanding knowledge on the causes of TS and providing a rich source of molecular mechanisms to account for the neurobiological dysregulations associated with this disorder. This chapter recapitulates the current state of the art in animal modeling of tic disorders and highlights how each model allows for the analysis of complementary aspects of phenomenology, pathophysiology, etiology, and therapy of TS. The chapter also outlines several methodological and conceptual directions for the future development of new animal models and the refinement of available ones. The implementation of these translational strategies will be critical to further improve knowledge of the biological foundation of TS and expand the therapeutic arsenal for tic disorders and comorbid symptoms.