This webinar is organized by Elsevier, the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR), and the “Pharmacological Research” family of journals.
Chronic stress is now recognized as a key factor in the development and progression of many chronic diseases, beyond the germ and terrain theories. It induces multi-systemic physiological dysregulations through mechanisms like over-production of harmful chemicals, depletion of protective molecules, and failure to activate specific protective pathways due to HPA axis activation. Epigenetic changes also play a role in gene dysregulation in chronic stress disorders.
Animal models are crucial for studying these processes and developing treatments. They help investigate the neural, behavioural, and biochemical mechanisms of stress-related psychopathologies such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, cognitive deficits, aggression, and addiction. These models aim to link physiological and behavioural changes from stressors to disease etiology and treatment responses. They are reliable due to their predictive, face, and construct validity.
Animal stress models are categorized into predictable stress models and the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) paradigm. Predictable models involve exposure to a single stressor, leading to tolerance and adaptation. In contrast, the UCMS paradigm exposes animals to multiple, random stressors, closely mimicking human daily stressors. This paradigm is valuable for studying the neurobiology of stress-induced psychiatric disorders.
This webinar aims to stimulate more robust studies on the neurobiology of chronic stress-induced psychopathologies, highlight some targets for pharmacological interventions, and the possibility of developing animal model(s) for testing social supports benefits in the face of adversity.
Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash
