Animal models of depression

Depression is among the most prevalent forms of psychiatric disorders and a leading cause for morbidity and mortality. Since the serendipitous discovery of the first antidepressants the progress in developing more efficient medications has marked time, emphasizing the need to establish novel classes of antidepressants. This review resumes currently available animal models, discusses their potential to unravel the neurobiological underpinnings of depression and highlights their impact on the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Section editor:Wolfgang Wurst – Institute of Developmental Genetics, GSF Research Centre, Neuherberg, Germany