Emotional Function Research
Emotion is a higher level of neural activity in humans and animals. Due to the neural complexity of the brain, it is also difficult to study the specific functions of neurons involved in emotional activity and their mechanisms. Animal behavior tests and related disease models provide a good means to measure emotional expression in animals.
Our company offers a variety of stress models and animal behavioral evaluation methods for the study of the neural basis of emotion and the diseases caused by mood disorders. Currently, we have established a leading animal experimentation platform to provide cutting-edge experimental solutions to colleges, hospital, and research institutions worldwide.
Fig. 1 Emotional brain.
Connection Between Brain and Emotional Function
The crude knowledge of the neural mechanisms of emotions originated from the brain-injured casualties of the First World War. Without violating ethics, researchers used experimental animals to study changes in their emotions by damaging certain brain regions, eventually discovering the neural circuitry of their emotions. Emotions are not the responsibility of a single brain region. Several parts of the brain are involved in the production of emotions and have different effects on different emotions.
| Brain Regions | Emotional Functions Involved |
|---|---|
| Amygdala | Important structures in the neural mechanisms of emotion cognition are related to many negative emotions, but most notably are involved in the processing of fearful emotions. In addition, the amygdala is crucial for the acquisition of fear. |
| Insula | Located deep in the brain, the insula is involved in the detection and experience of aversive emotions. |
| Prefrontal cortex | It plays an important role in emotion perception and regulation and is involved in the expression of basic positive and negative emotions. In addition, it is also related to emotion regulation. |
Emotional State Evaluation Methods
Emotional stress is very closely related to human diseases. Researchers have used a number of indirect methods to assess and judge the emotional state of animals or humans. Common parameters used to measure emotion include assessing the animal's facial expressions, reactions to fear, avoidance, retreat, and body movements such as rigidity. Our company have developed a variety of behavioral tests to help study mood-related diseases or drug screening.
| Emotions | Description | Behavioral Methods |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety Disorders | Neurosis dominated by anxiety, animals defense response system activation when faced with a dangerous situation. Behaviorally, it is characterized by appear behaviorally as sluggish inactivity, inhibition of inquiry, escape, burying, etc. | Exploratory behavior models include open field experiments, elevated cross maze. Social behavior models include natural enemy exposure, social isolation, and maternal deprivation. Conditioned reflex type models include drinking conflicts, conditioned electric shocks. Others: Empty bottle stress. |
| Depression | A neurological disorder with a predominantly pleasure-deficit state, often characterized by a lack of interest, feelings of helplessness, strong feelings of guilt, and reduced learning and memory abilities. | Acquired helplessness, forced swimming, sucrose preference test. |
| Fear | Mainly associated with the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens. | Shock reflex experiment |
Our company is focused on providing suitable animal models and behavioral assessment methods for basic research on emotion-related functional mechanisms. We have a wealth of experience, a wide range of services and the research methods you need. If you are interested, please contact us and describe your specific research, and we will be happy to assist you.