Experimental Animal Models in Neurological Diseases

Abstract

The human brain is a structure that controls billions of neurons and trillions of connections. Having a unique anatomy with countless neurons and connections makes its understanding even more complex. The brain, divided into different regions for specialized functions such as memory, movement, sensation, and emotions, holds great significance in human cognition and behavior. Centuries of research, coupled with advancements in technology, have propelled neuroscience forward, facilitating the understanding of the neurological, behavioral, and structural characteristics of the brain. Developing treatments for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, migraine, epilepsy, and schizophrenia as well as understanding the complex mechanisms of these diseases, require the exploration of new treatment methods, drugs, and products through direct experimentation on humans, which raises ethical concerns. Therefore, experimental animal models are needed in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. There are currently many experimental animal models developed to elucidate the pathophysiological characteristics of neurological disorders. The aim of this review was to summarize the experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases developed today in sections. While recognizing that an experimental animal model may not fully replicate the disease process in humans, it can at least provide guidance in understanding the disease.

Keywords

• Neurological diseases
• experimental
• animal models

Nörolojik Hastalıklarda Deneysel Hayvan Modelleri

Abstract

İnsan beyni, milyarlarca nöronu ve trilyonlarca bağlantıyı kontrol eden bir yapıdır. Eşsiz bir anatomiye sahip olan bu yapının sayısız nöron ve bağlantıya sahip olması, onun anlaşılmasını daha da karmaşık hale getirmektedir. Hafıza, hareket, duyu ve duygular gibi özelleşmiş fonksiyonlar için farklı bölgelere ayrılmış olan beyin, insanın biliş ve davranışında büyük öneme sahiptir. Yüzyıllardır süren araştırmalar, teknolojinin de gelişmesiyle sinirbilimini ileriye taşımış, beynin nörolojik, davranışsal ve yapısal özelliklerinin anlaşılmasını sağlamıştır. Alzheimer, Parkinson, multiple skleroz, amyotrofik lateral skleroz, migren, epilepsi ve şizofreni gibi nörolojik bozukluklara yönelik tedavilerin geliştirilebilmesi ve hastalıkların karmaşık mekanizmalarının anlaşılması için yeni tedavi yöntemlerinin, ilaç ve ürünlerinin doğrudan insanlarla çalışılması etik sorunlar doğuracağından nörodejeneratif hastalıkların tedavisinde, deneysel hayvan modellerine ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Nörolojik bozuklukların fizyopatolojik özelliklerini aydınlatmak için hali hazırda geliştirilmiş birçok deneysel hayvan modeli mevcuttur. Bu derlemede, günümüzde geliştirilen nörodejeneratif hastalıklara yönelik deneysel modellerin bölümler halinde özetlenmesidir. Bir deneysel hayvan modelinin, insandaki hastalık sürecini tamamen karşılayamayacağını bilmekle birlikte en azından hastalığın anlaşılmasında yol gösterici olabilir.

Keywords

• Nörolojik hastalıklar
• deneysel
• hayvan modelleri

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