Abstract
Animal models of schizophrenia are based on morphological, biochemical and genetical findings in schizophrenic patients. They contribute to clarify the etiology and neurobiology of this psychosis.
Simultaneously, the animal model can suggest potential treatment of schizophrenia. The animals models are divided into three groups: neurodevelopmental, pharmacological and genetical models.
Neurodevelopmental and genetical models test various hypotheses of schizophrenia. Pharmacological models imitate symptoms of schizophrenia and are used preferantially in the development of new therapies.
Animal models of schizophrenia are an important tool for better understanding of mechanisms, underlying the complexity of schizophrenia disorder.