There were a number of significant changes made in the updated version of the Diagnostic and Statisical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, 2013), reflecting the continuing evolution of our understanding of the neurobiology and therapeutics of neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as the phenomenological relationships between them. Among these changes were the creation of new disorder categories, including “Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders”, “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders”, and “Gender Dysphoria”. In this ongoing effort, translational research has played a key role in elucidating the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric disorders – in particular anxiety disorders – but perhaps surprisingly, much of the information gained from animal models has not always “translated” well to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. There are a number of factors that could contribute to this translational gap between basic and clinical research, but it is clear that in order to narrow this gap it will be important for both basic and clinical researchers to place current animal models within a context that reflects current theory of psychiatric illness.
Taking as a point of departure the diagnostic categories outlined in DSM-5, the proposed Research Topic would be directed toward Review or Original Research articles pertaining to each of the most prominent disorder categories. Review articles might focus on the different animal model paradigms that have been used in the context of investigating the category of disorders, while Original Research articles could be focused on the application of animal models for investigating possible new therapeutic interventions, and/or investigating the underlying neurobiology of the category of psychiatric disorders in question. Articles that incorporate the use of non-traditional models (e.g., zebrafish, Drosophila) and comparative psychobiological models would be welcomed.
Topics could include:
1) Models relevant to specific psychiatric diagnoses
2) Models relevant to exploring specific risk factors (e.g., models where an experimental manipulation is applied that replicates a known risk factor, such as chronic stress or maternal immune models)
3) Non-traditional models (i.e., not laboratory rat or mouse).
4) Models relevant to the phenomenon of treatment resistance
5) Models that explore factors of resilience to psychopathology (for example, enriched environment, social interaction, exercise).
There were a number of significant changes made in the updated version of the Diagnostic and Statisical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, 2013), reflecting the continuing evolution of our understanding of the neurobiology and therapeutics of neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as the phenomenological relationships between them. Among these changes were the creation of new disorder categories, including “Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders”, “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders”, and “Gender Dysphoria”. In this ongoing effort, translational research has played a key role in elucidating the neurobiology of neuropsychiatric disorders – in particular anxiety disorders – but perhaps surprisingly, much of the information gained from animal models has not always “translated” well to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. There are a number of factors that could contribute to this translational gap between basic and clinical research, but it is clear that in order to narrow this gap it will be important for both basic and clinical researchers to place current animal models within a context that reflects current theory of psychiatric illness.
Taking as a point of departure the diagnostic categories outlined in DSM-5, the proposed Research Topic would be directed toward Review or Original Research articles pertaining to each of the most prominent disorder categories. Review articles might focus on the different animal model paradigms that have been used in the context of investigating the category of disorders, while Original Research articles could be focused on the application of animal models for investigating possible new therapeutic interventions, and/or investigating the underlying neurobiology of the category of psychiatric disorders in question. Articles that incorporate the use of non-traditional models (e.g., zebrafish, Drosophila) and comparative psychobiological models would be welcomed.
Topics could include:
1) Models relevant to specific psychiatric diagnoses
2) Models relevant to exploring specific risk factors (e.g., models where an experimental manipulation is applied that replicates a known risk factor, such as chronic stress or maternal immune models)
3) Non-traditional models (i.e., not laboratory rat or mouse).
4) Models relevant to the phenomenon of treatment resistance
5) Models that explore factors of resilience to psychopathology (for example, enriched environment, social interaction, exercise).
