Posted by viridis on February 8, 2003, at 3:43:59
In reply to RAT BEHAVIOR VERSES HUMAN BEHAVIOR DRUGS, posted by LAURA777 on February 5, 2003, at 17:10:53
The brains of rats aren't any "simpler'" or less complex than ours; different areas are just more highly developed in the two species. For example, the regions that deal with response to odors are much more sophisticated in rats than humans. And, rats have a very well-developed set of neuronal pathways that relate to social behavior. There's vastly much more similarity than difference in rat and human brains, and the genes that control their function. And, rats feel emotions too, experience stress, depression, etc.
Of course, rodents respond differently to many drugs than humans, but the basic pathways are extremely similar, so they really are a good model, at least as a first test to look at the basics of how experimental meds work and alert us to potential risks. Chimpanzees would be a better model, but much more difficult to work with from a practical, humanitarian, and paperwork point of view.
I find all of this sad, but necessary, since I hate to see any animal suffer. But rats, mice, etc. have provided tremendous insights into how the brain works, and how psychiatric meds operate at a molecular and physiological level.
poster:viridis
thread:139633
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030204/msgs/140107.html