Animal Models of Depression

Although Santarelli et al. and Bessa et al. use similar materials to their studies, both of them demonstrate various techniques and methodology that can be compared to each other. Santarelli et al. does an adequate job of explaining some background information about neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the effects of antidepressants. Neurogenesis refers to the process by which neurons are generated from neural stem cells. Santarelli et al. then focuses more on the genetic and radiological methods of what needs to be required for the pathogenesis of depression. To do this they only look at the effects of fluoxetine and hippocampal radiation, examining 5-HT receptors at a deeper level. The article then leaves us thinking about future studies, such as those that include mood regulation.

Bessa et al. takes it to the next level, explaining that neuronal remodeling may also contribute with neurogenesis. Even though neurogenesis might play a role in regulating behavioral responses to antidepressants, studies have shown that neuronal plasticity might play a larger role. Unlike Santarelli et al. , Bessa et al.  included more methods to examine the behavioral part of the rats. They also examined more combination of groups, specifically adding in the use of methylaxocymethanol (MAM) for some of the groups. This was interesting to read about since MAM has been known to reduce neurogenesis and by adding that in addition to the antidepressants, it shows that factors, like neuronal plasticity ,can occurTheir experiments suggest that a revamped establishment for neuronal plasticity, for example dendritic remodeling and synaptic contacts, instead of neurogenesis, as the leading factor for restoration of normal behavioral responses. Bessa et al. got more a response using both CMS and NSF at the same time and inducing more environmental stress and antidepressants.  Although Santareli et al. explains the requirements of neurogenesis for antidepressant effects, Bessa et al. was easier to follow and contained more types of methods that helped observe neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity.