Anxiety models

There are three generally accepted criteria for validating animal models for human psychiatric disorders face validity, construct validity, and predictive validity. Face validity refers to the outward appearance of the model, i.e. does the animal s behavior adequately reflect the human behavior being modeled In this dimension, anxiety models have a clear advantage over other psychiatric models it is usually quite apparent if an animal is frightened, whereas it is a much more difficult to assess whether an animal is displaying psychotic-like or depressive-like behavior, for example. 

FG 5893 is a novel compound with high affinity for 5-HTj, and 5-HT2A receptors, but low affinity for h-HTjc receptors. Preclinical pharmacology indicates that FG 5893 is a potent stimulator of presynaptic 5-HTj, receptors, but is less active at postsynaptic 5-HTj, sites [Albinsson et al. 1994]. In two rat anxiety models, this compound has shown anxiolytic activity comparable to that of known anxiolytics. 

The startle response test pairs a conditioned stimulus (sound, light) with a footshock to induce an anxiogenic startle response in mice. While the sensitivity of this test to many drugs is yet to be established, benzodiazepine and serotonergic anxiolytics have been effective in reducing the startle response (1). Since this model seems to be unaffected by motor phenotypes, activity levels, or neurological deficits, this test (unlike many other anxiety models discussed here) allows researchers to study mouse anxiety without these confounding factors (see Note 17). 

Pich EM, Samanin R (1986) Disinhibitory effects of buspirone and low doses of sulpiride and haloperidol in two experimental anxiety models in rats possible role of dopamine. Psychopharmacology 89 125-130. 

H. W. H. Tsang, T. Y. C. Ho (2010) A systematic review on the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy on rodents under experimentally induced anxiety models. Rev. Neurosci, 21, 141-152. http //onlinelibrary.wiley.eom/o/cochrane/cochrane search fs.html newSearch=true (last access Eebruary 25, 2014. A query for keywords aromatherapy AND anxiety , aromatherapy AND lavender , respectively)... 

Pultrini, A. M., Galindo, L. A., and Costa, M. 2006. Effects of essential oil from Citrus aurantium L. in experimental anxiety models in mice. life Sciences 78 1720 1725. 

Peng WH, Wu CR, Chen CS, Chen CF, Leu ZC, Hsieh MT (2004) Anxiolytic effect of berberine on exploratory activity of the mouse in two experimental anxiety models interaction with drugs acting at 5-HT receptors. Life Sci 75 2451-2462... 

---