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PloS one2012; 7(6); e39280; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039280

Towards an ethological animal model of depression? A study on horses.

Abstract: Recent reviews question current animal models of depression and emphasise the need for ethological models of mood disorders based on animals living under natural conditions. Domestic horses encounter chronic stress, including potential stress at work, which can induce behavioural disorders (e.g. "apathy"). Our pioneering study evaluated the potential of domestic horses in their usual environment to become an ethological model of depression by testing this models' face validity (i.e. behavioural similarity with descriptions of human depressive states). Results: We observed the spontaneous behaviour of 59 working horses in their home environment, focusing on immobility bouts of apparent unresponsiveness when horses displayed an atypical posture (termed withdrawn hereafter), evaluated their responsiveness to their environment and their anxiety levels, and analysed cortisol levels. Twenty-four percent of the horses presented the withdrawn posture, also characterized by gaze, head and ears fixity, a profile that suggests a spontaneous expression of "behavioural despair". When compared with control "non-withdrawn" horses from the same stable, withdrawn horses appeared more indifferent to environmental stimuli in their home environment but reacted more emotionally in more challenging situations. They exhibited lower plasma cortisol levels. Withdrawn horses all belonged to the same breed and females were over-represented. Conclusions: Horse might be a useful potential candidate for an animal model of depression. Face validity of this model appeared good, and potential genetic input and high prevalence of these disorders in females add to the convergence. At a time when current animal models of depression are questioned and the need for novel models is expressed, this study suggests that novel models and biomarkers could emerge from ethological approaches in home environments.
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Publication Date: 2012-06-28 PubMed ID: 22761752PubMed Central: PMC3386251DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039280Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study explores the idea of using domestic horses as an ethological model for depression. It makes this suggestion based on the similarities in behaviors observed in some horses to the descriptions of depressive states in humans.

Study Background

The researchers identified a gap in the current animal models used in studying depression. They perceived that a model based on animals in their natural living conditions could give a more accurate understanding of mood disorders. The choice of the domestic horse was on account of the chronic stress factors they encounter such as stressful working conditions which are known to drive some into a state of behavioral disorders.

Data Gathering and Methodology

  • The researchers carried out observations of the spontaneous behavior of 59 working horses in their normal home environments. They paid particular attention to periods of immobility and apparent unresponsiveness in these horses. This unusual posture was termed ‘withdrawn’.
  • As part of the observations, researchers evaluated the horses’ responsiveness to their environment and anxiety levels, and additionally analysed the horses’ cortisol levels.

Research Findings

  • Approximately a quarter of the horses studied presented the withdrawn posture, also characterized by fixed gaze and no head or ear movement. This profile was seen as akin to expressions of ‘behavioral despair’ seen in humans.
  • In comparison with the other horses from the same stable that were not withdrawn, the withdrawn horses appeared to show indifference to environmental stimuli in their home environment.
  • The withdrawn horses seemed more emotionally reactive to challenging situations and exhibited lower plasma cortisol levels.
  • It was noted that the withdrawn horses belonged to the same breed and there was a disproportionate representation of females.

Conclusions and Implications for Future Research

The researchers concluded that the domestic horse might be a useful candidate as an animal model of depression. The face validity expression of behaviors similar to depression appeared good, and the genetic input, as well as the gender bias, added to the convergence. The authors advocate for more positive disruption in the use of animal models of depression, suggesting that other models and biomarkers could emerge from ethological approaches in home environments.

Cite This Article

APA
Fureix C, Jego P, Henry S, Lansade L, Hausberger M. (2012). Towards an ethological animal model of depression? A study on horses. PLoS One, 7(6), e39280. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0039280

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 6
Pages: e39280
PII: e39280

Researcher Affiliations

Fureix, Carole
  • Université de Rennes 1, UMR CNRS 6552 Ethologie Animale et Humaine, Rennes, France. fureix.carole@gmail.com
Jego, Patrick
    Henry, Séverine
      Lansade, Léa
        Hausberger, Martine

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Behavior, Animal
          • Depressive Disorder / psychology
          • Disease Models, Animal
          • Horses / psychology

          Conflict of Interest Statement

          The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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