Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Pain is one of the most common symptoms experienced by both humans and animals. In humans, unrelieved pain can disturb daily activities and quality of life. Animal models should provide basis for a better understanding of the pain pathomechanisms in humans and give information on the therapeutic value of novel drugs. The main problem of using animal models is that pain cannot be monitored directly but only estimated by examining animal responses to nociceptive stimuli. The animal reactions to nociceptive stimuli are almost always autonomic or motor responses ranging from spinal reflexes (tail withdrawal) to such behaviors as licking, jumping, writhing or vocalization. However, such responses do not necessarily mean that animals can distinguish a wide variety of painful sensations. There are many different types of nociceptive stimuli (electrical, thermal, mechanical, or chemical) that are used in different pain models. Animal models of pain should have features of clinical pain and reproducibility. Nevertheless, none is ideal, although chemical stimuli probably most closely mimic acute clinical pain. Models of nociception that can be reproduced in different species are of the greatest value to drug development, as protein or receptor heterogeneity between different species is always possible. However, complex physiological experience of pain cannot be completely evaluated by using only animal subjects in a laboratory setting.
Author: Gibula-Bruzda, Ewa
Institution: Medical University of Lublin
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $84
OpenAlex ID: W7167439928