树鼩的社会挫败抑郁模型

创制理想的动物模型是突破抑郁症研究的技术难点之一。来自进化研究的证据提示, 树鼩属灵长类近缘的一种小型动物, 具有较为发达的神经系统和与人类相似的应激系统, 因而可能成为创制精神疾病行为模型的较佳选择。已有的研究表明, 树鼩社会挫败模型可能具有比啮齿类更好的表面效度、预测效度及结构效度。由于树鼩与人类的近缘关系, 对其抑郁行为的脑机制研究或药物评价可能更具潜在价值。但是, 该模型仍有待进一步利用、拓展和完善。

Social Defeat Paradigm in Tree Shrews as a Depression Model

Appropriate animal models are essential for elucidating the etiology and pathophysiology of depression. While rodent models are commonly used, the tree shrew shows promise for modeling depression. Studies of tree shrews demonstrate an evolutionary relationship to primates, a highly developed nervous system and a more similar stress system to human. Well-accepted etiological stimuli of human depression, for example, social defeat, induce depression-like behaviors in tree shrews; such behaviors can be partially improved by classic antidepressants. This article reviews the social defeat paradigm in the tree threw as a model of depression from perspectives of face, predictive, and construct validities. Underscored by a phylogenetic relationship to humans, tree shrew models of depression may provide a more clinically-relevant approach for studying the neuro-mechanisms of depression and screening antidepressants. Nonetheless, the current tree shrew depression model requires further exploration and improvement.