Understanding stress: Insights from rodent models

• Published in: Current research in neurobiology Vol. 2; p. 100013
• Main Authors: Atrooz, Fatin, Alkadhi, Karim A., Salim, Samina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Inflammation; Mental health; Rodent behavior; Stress; Synaptic plasticity; Trauma; CRP; TNFα; EPM; CAMKIV; BDNF; FST; Mental health; Inflammation; Trauma; Stress; IL-6; Rodent behavior; ERK1/2; CREB; RNS; Synaptic plasticity; ROS; OF; NMDA; LD; HPA
• ISSN: 2665-945X; 2665-945X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2021.100013

Through incorporating both physical and psychological forms of stressors, a variety of rodent models have provided important insights into the understanding of stress physiology. Rodent models also have provided significant information with regards to the mechanistic basis of the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders such as anxiety disorders, depressive illnesses, cognitive impairment and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, rodent models of stress have served as valuable tools in the area of drug screening and drug development for treatment of stress-induced conditions. Although rodent models do not accurately reproduce the biochemical or physiological parameters of stress response and cannot fully mimic the natural progression of human disorders, yet, animal research has provided answers to many important scientific questions. In this review article, important studies utilizing a variety of stress models are described in terms of their design and apparatus, with specific focus on their capabilities to generate reliable behavioral and biochemical read-out. The review focusses on the utility of rodent models by discussing examples in the literature that offer important mechanistic insights into physiologically relevant questions. The review highlights the utility of rodent models of stress as important tools for advancing the mission of scientific research and inquiry. [Display omitted] •Stressful life events may lead to the onset of severe psychopathologies in humans.•Rodents may model many features of stress exposure in human populations.•Induction of stress via pharmacological and psychological manipulations alter rodent behavior.•Mechanistic rodent studies reveal key molecular targets critical for new therapeutic targets.