Utilizing a unique animal model to better understand human temperament. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turner, Cortney A; Flagel, Shelly B; Blandino, Peter; Watson, Stanley J; Akil, Huda
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in behavioral sciences. Volume 14(2017)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 114
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1546

Abstract

Highlights: Temperament in humans can be studied as individual differences in animal models. The hippocampus integrates the brain's response to stress, fear and drugs of abuse. FGF2 plays a role in anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction-related behaviors. Abstract : Individual differences in temperament are associated with psychopathology in humans. Moreover, the relationship between temperament and anxiety-, depression-, PTSD- and addiction-related behaviors can be modeled in animals. This review will highlight these relationships with a focus on individual differences in the response to stressors, fear conditioning and drugs of abuse using animals that differ in their response to a novel environment. We will discuss behavioral and neurobiological commonalities amongst these behaviors with a focus on the hippocampus and, in particular, growth factors as promising novel targets for therapeutic intervention.