Oxidative Stress Implications in the Affective Disorders: Main Biomarkers, Animal Models Relevance, Genetic Perspectives, and Antioxidant Approaches

Figure 2

Behavioural tests battery used in depression/anxiety assessment [165]. Due to the fact that depressive and anxious behaviours are interconnected, and in some cases interdependent, it is very important for the difference of anxiety as a trait or as a symptom, for example, to be clearly defined. Thus, several evaluation techniques can only evaluate depressive behaviour (the tests shown in the left side of the picture), being useful in determining clear depressive traits. On the opposite side the typical anxious behaviour techniques stand which are meant to evaluate general and conditioned anxiety, while in the middle the depressive-related anxiety techniques stand, which can be used in both depression and anxiety evaluation. This aspect can be crucial when elaborating complex hypothesis regarding common symptomatology and behaviour which leads to elucidating information in affective syndromes etiology.