Animal models of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders.

Abstract

Tic disorders (TD) present considerable challenges in research due to their intricate and multifaceted nature. Their primary symptoms, tics, often co-occur with other comorbid conditions that overlap with other psychiatric and movement disorders. Tic development and expression are associated with alterations in different neurotransmitter systems, genetic factors, and environmental influences. However, the current understanding regarding the underlying causes and mechanism remains limited, with the available treatments lacking specificity and efficacy. To address these complexities, numerous animal models have been developed using diverse approaches. Some models focus on studying the neural mechanisms underlying tic expression, while others are designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on the various comorbid symptoms. The objective of this chapter is to systematically review the animal models for TD. We will discuss the commonly used criteria for assessing the experimental model validity and evaluate the unique properties of each model based on its ability to address specific aspects of the disorder. Thus, the diverse spectrum of animal models will be established in a complementary form to enable the utilization of these models for the wide range of therapeutic and scientific purposes presented by tic disorders.