Methods for Modeling Early Life Stress in Rodents

Overview

Journal Methods Mol Biol

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Nov 15

PMID 39546232

Authors

Jamie Y Choe

Harlan P Jones

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Animal models of early life stress/adversity (ELS) have provided a foundation from which our understanding of the psychoneuroimmunology of childhood trauma has expanded over recent decades. Rodent models are a cornerstone of the ELS literature with many studies utilizing paradigms based on early life separation/deprivation protocols and manipulating the cage environment. However, no animal model is perfect. In particular, the lack of standardization across ELS models has led to inconsistent results and raised questions regarding the translational value of common preclinical models. In this chapter, we present an overview of the history of ELS rodent models and discuss considerations relevant to the ongoing efforts to both improve existing models and generate novel paradigms to meet the evolving needs of molecular- and mechanism-based ELS research.

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