How valuable are animal models in defining antidepressant activity

摘要: Animal models of depression have been utilised to screen novel compounds with antidepressant potential although uncertainty lingers concerning their clinical relevance. In order for a model be considered any value, it must possess predictive validity (does drug action in the correspond that clinic?), face (are there phenomenological similarities between and clinic?) construct strong theoretical rationale?). On one hand, are based on stress such as learned helplessness model, forced swimming test chronic mild and, other neuronal deficits olfactory bulbectomy model. To date, among more frequently used depression, none them meet all these criteria. Moreover, improvements tests often poorly validated estimating time onset antidepressants remains major challenge animal research. Finally, reproducing outside laboratory origin continues problematic leads variability results. Although fail unequivocally valid, they represent best tool define activity drugs, investigate mechanism greater extent, explore this complex heterogeneous illness. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.