Berend Olivier has had a long-standing interest in the utility of animal models for a wide variety of
therapeutic indications. His work has spanned multiple types of models, blending ethological, or species
typical and naturalistic behaviors, along with methodologies based on learned behavior. He has
consistently done so, from an analytical as well as predictive perspective, and has made multiple
contributions while working in both the pharmaceutical industry and within an academic institution.
Although focused primarily on psychiatric disorders, Berend has conducted research in the area of pain
in humans and in animals, demonstrating an expansive appreciation for the breadth, scope and
significance of the science and applications of the discipline of pharmacology to these diverse areas.
This review focuses on the use of animal models in pain research from the perspective of the longstanding
deficiencies in the development of therapeutics in this area and from a preclinical perspective
where the translational weaknesses have been quite problematic. The challenges confronting animal
models of pain, however, are not unique to this area of research, as they cut across several therapeutic
areas. Despite the deficiencies, failures and concerns, existing animal models of pain continue to be of
widespread use and are essential to progress in pain research as well as in other areas. Although not
focusing on specific animal models of pain, this paper seeks to examine general issues facing the use of
these models. It does so by exploring alternative approaches which capture recent developments, which
build upon principles and concepts we have learned from Berend's contributions, and which provide the
prospect of helping to address the absence of novel therapeutics in this area