Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research  2014;17(1):12-26

doi:10.16946/kjsr.2014.17.1.12

Use of Behavioral Analysis in Animal Models for Schizophrenia Research.

Youngsik WOO ; Saebom LEE ; Jaehoon JEONG ; Sang Ki PARK

Keywords

Schizophrenia; Animal models; Animal behaviors; Behavioral tests

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Animal models are useful tools to study the molecular basis of schizophrenia pathophysiology and efficacy of potential therapeutic agents. Schizophrenia animal models can be subdivided into three classes ; drug-induced models, genetic models, and environmental models and each model is designed based on specific traits corresponding to the characteristic symptoms of human schizophrenia patients. Psychomotor agitation and sensitivity to psychotomimetic drugs are often thought to reflect positive symptoms. Social interaction deficits and affective impairments are known to correspond to negative symptoms. Also, cognitive symptoms have been linked to the working memory impairments, attention deficits and related cognitive deficits in animals. To analyze such components in quantifiable manners, various behavioral paradigms have been developed and utilized. Here, we overview these animal models, focusing on underlying rationales for their use in the context of schizophrenia research.