Cited by 627Animal testing and alternativesNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchAnimal Genetics and Reproduction

Rodent models in neuroscience research: is it a rat race?

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Ellenbroek, Bart, Youn, Jiun·2016·Disease Models & Mechanisms

Abstract

Rodents (especially Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus) have been the most widely used models in biomedical research for many years. A notable shift has taken place over the last two decades, with mice taking a more and more prominent role in biomedical science compared to rats. This shift was primarily instigated by the availability of a much larger genetic toolbox for mice, particularly embryonic-stem-cell-based targeting technology for gene disruption. With the recent emergence of tools for altering the rat genome, notably genome-editing technologies, the technological gap between the two organisms is closing, and it is becoming more important to consider the physiological, anatomical, biochemical and pharmacological differences between rats and mice when choosing the right model system for a specific biological question. The aim of this short review and accompanying poster is to highlight some of the most important differences, and to discuss their impact on studies of human diseases, with a special focus on neuropsychiatric disorders.

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  • The rat is particularly amenable to measurements of cognitive-behavioral, endocrine, muscle, and cardiovascular endpoints, and extensive historical data exist on physiological changes with aging.

    “The rat is particularly amendable to measurements of cognitive-behavioral, endocrine (e.g., glucose tolerance), muscle, and cardiovascular endpoints, and there is extensive historical data on physiological changes with aging [42–46].”

    From Reducing Senescent Cell Burden in Aging and Disease (2020) · cites this paper as [44]

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  1. Ellenbroek B. A. and Youn J. (2016). Gene – Environment Interactions in Psychiatry. Nature, Nurture, Neuroscience. London, UK: Academic Press.

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Authors
Ellenbroek, B., & Youn, J.
Affiliations
Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
Corresponding author
Ellenbroek, Bart
Venue
Disease Models & Mechanisms
Published
2016-10-01
Volume
9
Issue
10
Pages
1079-1087
ISSN
  • 1754-8403 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-8411
OpenAlex
W2529339498
Cited by
627
References
102
Citations by year
2026: 45 · 2025: 70 · 2024: 58 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 103 · 2020: 93 · 2019: 56 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 3
FWCI
8.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Disease Models & Mechanisms (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal testing and alternatives
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Animal Genetics and Reproduction
Keywords
rodent models, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, genetic engineering, gene targeting, genome editing, neuropsychiatric disorders, human disease models, model organism selection
MeSH terms
Animals, Mental Disorders, Brain, Disease Models, Animal, Biological Evolution, Humans, Neurosciences, Biomedical Research, Mice, Rats

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