Animal models for posttraumatic stress disorder: An overview of what is used in research

Table 2 A comparison of animal models based on Yehuda and Antelman’s criteria and available publications

Criterion	Most suitable models per criterion1
Even brief stressors induce biological/behavioural effects	All models are comparably suitable
Intensity-dependent responses	FS, SEFL, RS, PPS/PSS
Persistence of alterations over time	All except HI
Bi-directional expression of behavioural changes	SPS, SD
Reliable production of interindividual variability	FS, PPS/PSS, SD

¹The animal models listed here are: Foot shock (FS), stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL), restraint stress (RS), predator-based psychosocial stress (PPS)/predator scent stress (PSS), housing instability (HI), single-prolonged stress (SPS) and social defeat (SD).