Possibilities and Limitations of Using the Rodent Olfactory Bulbectomy Model

The article provides an overview of current data validating the use of a model of olfactory bulbectomy in rodents for studying mental disorders in humans. Based on the extensive literature and our own findings, we demonstrate the potential of this model as a representation of depression and Alzheimer’s disease, considering the alignment of observed changes with modern criteria of validity. In rodents, olfactory bulbectomy causes a whole complex of molecular, structural, and behavioral changes, which cannot optimally model a certain human disease. Here, we discuss the limitations of using this model and interpreting its outcomes. Nevertheless, the model can be a useful tool for both basic and applied studies of human brain pathologies, provided the stated limitations are observed.