Marianna Školnaja - How do Rats Help us Find Cures?

Anxiety in new situations and curiosity are two phenomena similar in the brains of rats and humans. By researching the neurochemical processes in rat brains, we can create new and more effective medicines. Marianna Školnaja from the Tallinn University Centre of Excellence in Behavioural and Neural Sciences explains the process.

Changes in behaviour are determined by hereditary and developmental factors, which influence the structure and functions of the brain. In a novel environment, our behaviour is dominated by two opposing psychic phenomena: anxiety from novelty, and curiosity. These phenomena are common in both humans and rats.

In specific experimental conditions the rats’ behaviour deriving from their curiosity varies permanently. Their behavioural strategy is determined by several neurochemical differences, which are the mediators for patterns connected to anxiety and stress. In the brains of rats with high anxiety and motivation, the level of metabolism in certain parts of the brain is vastly different.

Describing and comparatively mapping these differences is the basis for developing new cures for mood disorders, e.g. depression. Traditionally, cures for depression focus on the chain of neurotransmitters, which is affected by substances such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. The biggest setback of such a cure is its relatively slow effect.

Currently the focus is set on creating effective and fast medicines, which aims at the transmitters based on glutamate. This is exactly what the TU Centre of Excellence in Behavioural and Neural Sciences is currently researching. The research on the effects of these medicines is done in cooperation with Tallinn Technical University and Tartu University.

Animal experimentation or using animals in research

“I personally do not like the phrase Animal experimentation, I prefer to talk about using animals in research. The reason is to avoid the sentiment that we do things in a trial and error method. We have strict protocols, which adhere to international standards and have received the approval of experts,” says Školnaja.

“Testing new medicines or methods on animals follows the principle of the three R’s – replace, refine, reduce. At first, we must think if we can replace using the animal with a test tube, and if not, then how could we improve the process of testing on animals and reduce the number of animals needed.”

“In certain research, the test tube offers only the preliminary information about the subject, which is also vital, as this is a prerequisite for animal testing.”

“Our research gathers data on which neurochemical changes in the brain are linked to changes in behavioural strategy. Thus, using animals in this research is a necessary stage in a long journey, which has immense value in creating new medicines.”

Marianna Školnaja, a doctorate student at the TU Centre of Excellence in Behavioural and Neural Sciences currently works as the manager at the vivarium of the Department of Gene Technology of the Tallinn Technical University. Her doctoral studies focus on describing the neurochemistry in behavioural strategies in adaption and the possibilities of changing them.