Animal model
From Freepedia
An animal model usually refers to a non-human animal with a disease that is similar to a human condition. These test conditions are often termed as animal models of disease. The use of animal models allows researchers to investigate disease states in ways which would be inaccessible in a human patient.
In order to serve as an useful model, a modelled disease must be similar in etiology (mechanism of cause) and function to the human equivalent. Animal models are used to learn more about a disease, its diagnosis and its treatment. For instance, behavioral analogues of anxiety or pain in laboratory animals can be used to screen and test new drugs for the treatment of these conditions in humans.
Animal models of disease can be spontaneous (naturally occurring in animals), or be induced by physical, chemical or biological means. For example,
- The use of metrazol (pentylenetetrazol) as an animal model of epilepsy
- Infecting animals with pathogens to reproduce human infectious diseases
- Using ionizing radiation to cause tumors
- Genetically selected (such as in diabetic mice).
The increase in knowledge about the genomes of non-human primates and other mammals that are genetically close to humans are allowing the production of genetically engineered animal tissues, organs and even animal species which express human diseases, providing a more robust model of human diseases in an animal model.
Animal models observed in the sciences of psychology and sociology are often termed animal models of behaviour.
