Rodent models of Autism Spectrum Disorder: strengths and limitations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a psychiatric disease that arises from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental background. Animal models have been used to gain insight in to the aetiology of the disorder, in order to find a gold standard to drive the diagnosis, and to search for treatments. In this book, rodent models for ASD are critically reviewed for their use to mimic the complexity of the developmental biology of the disorder. Their validity is evaluated, as well as the applied behavioural phenotyping assays. Future directions point towards a multi-model approach, in which the body as one functioning system is emphasized. Animal models are always a compromise between mimicking the complexity of the actual disorder and designing practical experiments. However, these experiments should be designed in a way that the animal is minimally restricted in performing its natural behaviour. Combining knowledge, we narrow down the funnel towards not only a gold standard model, but also a gold standard behavioural phenotyping strategy, thereby increasing the translational capacity of the animal model.

Saskia Kliphuis studied Environmental Biology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. She earned a Master's degree cum laude in Behavioural Ecology in 2014. She would like to devote her career to the improvement of animal welfare through research and policy.