15.03.2017Are mental disorders specifically human? Similarities and differences in the mind of humans and animals

Prof. Dr. Martin Brüne, Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Even Charles Darwin wondered if mental disorders appeared in animals and which factors would be crucial for that. Although we cannot ask animals directly how they feel, behavioural observations and neurobiological tests provide indications that animals change their mood and behaviour similar to humans with mental disorders. This analogy is used in the pharmacological research. But there are also forms of expression and symptoms in human mental disorders that cannot be simulated in animals. Which conclusions can we draw from this comparison? Does the view on mental disordered animals change our view of humans and animals? And is there any therapeutic benefit?