Animal models of depression - Where are we going?

The wide spectrum of disruptions that characterises depression and bipolar illness highlights the difficulties researchers are posed with as they try to mimic these disorders in the laboratory. Nonetheless, numerous attempts have been made to create rodent models of mood disorders, or at least models of the symptoms of depression. However, despite many advances, there are no satisfactory animal models available. The need for improved animal models for identifying new antidepressants and providing insights into the neuropathology underlying the disease is critical. Currently, there is a shift away from traditional animal models to more focused research dealing with an endophenotype-style approach, genetic models and studies, and incorporation of new findings from human neuroimaging. Such approaches are opening up more tractable avenues for understanding the neurobiological and genetic bases of these disorders. Further, advances in the clinical dissection of psychiatric illnesses using molecular genetics coupled with functional neuroimaging techniques promise to yield better translational animal models and hence more fruitful therapeutic targets.