Do Rats Help With Depression?
WouterThe natural process of grieving when someone loses a loved one is called grief. It can be an intense process and can sometimes take a long time. Many people find it difficult to deal with the loss of a pet, but the presence of a rat can provide a source of comfort and support. Often, people need a little extra support to recover from the loss of a loved one. It is becoming more socially acceptable to mourn animals, but some people still have trouble understanding why the loss of a pet can lead to feelings of grief and loss.
In one study, researchers from Northwestern University found that rats genetically bred to show symptoms of depression responded well to rat “psychotherapy”. Depressive rats showed changes in blood biomarkers for depression. This may provide us with a better understanding of how depression works. If we can differentiate between genetic and environmental causes of depression, we might be able to develop more effective treatments.
Several studies have been done on rats to study the effects of contagious depression on human subjects. One study showed that rats were capable of transmitting depression to other rats by cohabiting with a CUS-exposed rat for 5 weeks. During that time, they were required to undergo a series of tests, including sucrose preference, an open field test, and a forced swim. The rats were fitted with tags and placed back into their cages once the tests were complete.
