Olfactory Bulbectomized Rat, a model for what?

Abstract

The olfactory bulbectomized rat has been used primarily as an animal model for the detection of anti- depressive properties of new chemical entities and their assessment against the currently available anti- depressants. This is mainly due to the fact that the chronic efficacy of anti-depressants and not the

acute efficacy is detectable using the model which resembles the efficacy of such drugs in humans. This

review covers the chronological process that led to this use of this animal model, revises the logical

reasons that justify that use and suggests other diseases the OBX rat can be used as a model for, such as

certain neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic brain injury. A special consideration is also included

for the “golden hour” meaning the chemical changes in the brain which occur in the first hour after the

initial impact of traumatic brain injury, during which medical intervention has the highest potential of

decreasing the permanent damage. If used as soon as the surgery is complete, the OBX rat could be

evaluated as a model for neuroprotective drugs.