Animal Models

Roundworms are used to study communication between neurons.

Credit: (2005) The Evolution of Self-Fertile Hermaphroditism: The Fog Is Clearing. PLoS Biol 3: e30. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.003003.

Even sea hares can learn, and Eric Kandel, MD, used them to conduct his Nobel Prize winning research on learning and memory.

Courtesy, with permission: Thomas Carew, University of California, Irvine.

To learn about depression, scientists have made an interesting choice — the fruit fly.

Courtesy, with permission: Kravitz laboratory, Harvard Medical School.

What fish have transparent eggs, allowing scientists to watch as the embryo inside grows and develops? Zebrafish.

Courtesy, with permission: Robert Fisher, Standford Neurology and Jaimie Henderson, Stanford Neurosurgery.

How can birds help us learn about the development of language?

Credit: Adar E. et al. (2008) The Relationship between Nature of Social Change, Age, and Position of New Neurons and Their Survival in Adult Zebra Finch Brain. The Journal of Neuroscience 28:5706-07.

Mice and rats are the most commonly used vertebrates for research, and have advanced knowledge in almost every area of neuroscience research.

Credit: Garami A. et al. (2011) Thermoregulatory Phenotype of the Trpv1 Knockout Mouse: Thermoeffector Dysbalance with Hyperkinesis. Journal of Neuroscience 31:1561-1933.

Intelligent animals help scientists better-understand hearing, vision, and other senses. Briard dogs are prone to a genetic form of blindness. Once treated with gene therapy, visually impaired Briards showed improved vision. Today, Lancelot (shown) continues to see well after a single gene therapy treatment.

Courtesy,with permission: Foundation for Fighting Blindness.

Research with non-human primates is not done often, but for some areas of neuroscience, it can be vital.

Motorlab, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Are humans ever used for research? Yes, they are!

Copyright Dynamic Graphics/Jupiterimages.

Did you know even animals with simple nervous systems can help us learn about how our own nervous system works? The sea hare has helped scientists understand learning and memory, and fruit flies have led to breakthroughs in our knowledge of depression. Studying brain diseases in mice or monkeys helps us grasp the nature of a disease, as well as the impact of various interventions. Each animal used in the study of neuroscience has benefits and drawbacks.

About the Author

Emily K. Dilger, PhD

Emily is the former manager of BrainFacts.org. With a PhD in neuroscience, she is interested in exploring ways in which to engage children in science so as to encourage their life-long curiosity.