• Murilo S de Abreu
  • Ana C V V Giacomini
  • Rafael Genario
  • Nathália Rech
  • Júlia Carboni
  • Anton M Lakstygal
  • Tamara G Amstislavskaya
  • Konstantin A Demin
  • Brian E Leonard
  • Marli Vlok
  • Brian H Harvey
  • Angelo Piato
  • Leonardo J G Barcellos
  • Allan V Kalueff

Acute and chronic stressors are common triggers of human mental illnesses. Experimental animal models and their cross-species translation to humans are critical for understanding of the pathogenesis of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Mounting evidence suggests that both pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacological approaches can be efficient in treating these disorders. Here, we analyze human, rodent and zebrafish (Danio rerio) data to compare the impact of non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies of stress-related psychopathologies. Emphasizing the likely synergism and interplay between pharmacological and environmental factors in mitigating daily stress both clinically and in experimental models, we argue that environmental enrichment emerges as a promising complementary therapy for stress-induced disorders. We also call for a broader use of novel model organisms, such as zebrafish, to study such treatments and their potential interplay.

Original languageEnglish
Article number172928
Pages (from-to)172928
Number of pages12
JournalPharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior
Volume193
Early online date2020
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2020

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Biochemistry
  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

    Research areas

  • Acute and chronic stress, Animal model, Environmental enrichment, Mental illness, Psychopharmacotherapy, DANIO-RERIO, GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER, ACUTE RESTRAINT STRESS, ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT, CHRONIC MILD STRESS, ADULT ZEBRAFISH, NEUROTRANSMITTER SYSTEMS, DEPRESSION-LIKE BEHAVIOR, TIME-DEPENDENT SENSITIZATION, ANIMAL-MODELS

ID: 53131669