Combat stress: experimental modeling

The goal is, based on an analysis of literature data on research aimed at modeling combat stress, to identify the main directions for creating new animal models suitable for behavioral research, and the features of organizing research on volunteers. A decomposition of the concept of «combat stress» was carried out, highlighting the physiological and psychological components. The need for an integrated approach is shown, including, besides psychological methods, a complex of neurophysiological, biochemical and morphological studies, which requires the creation of relevant animal models. There are 4 groups of stress factors: external, physiological, emotional. In a comparative manner, 6 animal models of combat stress were assessed. Domestic models reproduce not combat stress itself, but its negative consequences – post-traumatic stress disorder. This limits the use of combat stress models in animals, since it does not allow studying the state of constructive combat stress (eustress), behavioral reactions, physiological, biochemical and structural changes during its development. However, it is adaptation to combat stress that distinguishes veterans from recruits and is the task to which the major effort in combatant training is directed. The authors identified the basic requirements for a model of combat stress in animals, as well as principles, the observance of which during clinical studies will allow us to qualitatively model the functional state of combat stress and increase the safety of volunteer participation in the study.