Rat Models in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Research: Strengths, Limitations, and Implications for Translational Studies
Sarapultsev A. Komelkova M. Lookin O. Khatsko S. Gusev E. Trofimov A. Tokay T. Hu D.
December 2024Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Pathophysiology
2024#31Issue 4709 - 760 pp.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a multifaceted psychiatric disorder triggered by traumatic events, leading to prolonged psychological distress and varied symptoms. Rat models have been extensively used to explore the biological, behavioral, and neurochemical underpinnings of PTSD. This review critically examines the strengths and limitations of commonly used rat models, such as single prolonged stress (SPS), stress–re-stress (S-R), and predator-based paradigms, in replicating human PTSD pathology. While these models provide valuable insights into neuroendocrine responses, genetic predispositions, and potential therapeutic targets, they face challenges in capturing the full complexity of PTSD, particularly in terms of ethological relevance and translational validity. We assess the degree to which these models mimic the neurobiological and behavioral aspects of human PTSD, highlighting areas where they succeed and where they fall short. This review also discusses future directions in refining these models to improve their utility for translational research, aiming to bridge the gap between preclinical findings and clinical applications.
ethological validity , model limitations , neuroendocrine factors , pharmacological interventions , PTSD , rats , rodent models , single prolonged stress (SPS) , stress–re-stress paradigm , translational research
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Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 106 Pervomaiskaya Street, Ekaterinburg, 620049, Russian Federation
Russian–Chinese Education and Research Center of System Pathology, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospekt, Chelyabinsk, 454080, Russian Federation
National Scientific Medical Center, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Anatomical and Physiological Experimental Laboratory, Department of Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, 48 Kuybysheva Str., Ekaterinburg, 620026, Russian Federation
Biology Department, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbai Batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430000, China
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy, China-Russia Medical Research Center for Stress Immunology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
Institute of Immunology and Physiology
Russian–Chinese Education and Research Center of System Pathology
National Scientific Medical Center
Anatomical and Physiological Experimental Laboratory
Biology Department
Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Hubei Key Laboratory of Biological Targeted Therapy
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