EARLY LIFE STRESS AS A MODEL FOR STUDYING COMPLEX BEHAVIORS IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

The aim of the study is to systematize and generalize the data accumulated in the scientific literature on models of early stress in animals in experiments, which will contribute to understanding complex disorders associated with early life experience, their prevention and treatment. An overview of information from scientific literature sources on models of early stress for studying complex forms of behavior in experimental animals is presented, as well as previously conducted original studies on behavioral features and development of neurological dysfunction in animals that have experienced early life stress. The main experimental models of early stress in animals are described in detail: maternal deprivation, which allows for a better understanding of the consequences of lack of early care, including for humans; social isolation in animals, which helps to understand how the social environment and interactions affect the development and behavior of animals and what consequences can be caused by a lack of social contacts; models of limited care in animals, which allow studying the effect of early trauma and insufficient care on the development of animals; the impact of physical and physiological stressors on animals to understand how animals adapt to unfavorable conditions and how their organisms cope with chronic or short-term stress. Each of the described models is used to analyze different aspects of stress, such as its impact on hormonal responses, neurochemical processes, brain development, behavior, adaptive mechanisms, and epigenetic modifications. The results obtained in animals are of great importance for translational medicine, providing valuable information on the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of early stress on the brain and behavior, which, in turn, allows the development of methods for the prevention and treatment of stress disorders.