Animal Models of Depression: Validation Criteria and Relevance in Traslational Experimental Neurobiology

HERNANDEZ JOSÉ IGNACIO; MARQUEZ HERRERO SANTIAGO NICOLÁS; SOLER OSVALDO; GUEVARA MANUEL ALEJANDRO; GARGIULO PASCUAL ÁNGEL

Psychiatry and Neuroscience Update From Translational Research to a Humanistic Approach -Volume III Pascual Ángel Gargiulo, Humberto Luis Mesones Arroyo Editors

Springer

Lugar: Cham; Año: 2019; p. 213 - 219

As an introduction, from the point of view ofphenomenology, depression is a heterogeneouspathology, clinically defined as a complex entitywhich encompasses an important psychologicalsymptomatology, as well as a neuroendocrinecorporal dimension. However, a heterogeneity ismanifested by the existence of nearly 30% ofpatients? refractory to conventional treatments[1]. It is also worth considering that this resultingclinical complexity is evidenced by the challenges to be faced as regards the poorly understood neurobiology of this psychiatric disorder,its biomarkers, and its corresponding investigation through experimental models. A translational framework in medical sciences is crucial interms of overcoming those difficulties, takinginto account that it is necessary to bridge the preexisting gaps between the data acquired throughbasic experimental animal research and the therapeutics of the disease [2]. Therefore, it impliesthe development of criteria and analytical toolsfor assessing the application of empirical results as well as theoretical conclusions in clinical practice. Correspondingly, it is conventionally agreedthat numerous animal models of depression arerequired for understanding several and differentaspects of the disease and for providing convergent evidence of the research findings [3].Assuming a constructive approach regarding animal models and being concerned about improving methodological aspects rather than discussingphilosophical argumentations [2], the presentchapter is the first part of a two-chapter serieswhich proposes a classification of animal modelsof depression by first analyzing their generalframework and validation criteria as a way tounderstand the most relevant paradigms currentlyaccepted