1. Animal Colony
Psammomys obesus (Israeli Sand Rat) an internationally recognised model for key diseases
- A unique polygenic animal model of obesity, diabetes and depression/anxiety
- When allowed access to a relatively energy-dense diet, the animals develop a range of metabolic responses (blood glucose, plasma insulin, body weight) in a manner similar to that of human populations
- Show symptoms of depression and anxiety when isolated from littermates, and symptoms can be reduced using known human antidepressant drugs
