Psychological studies of stress ulcer in the rat.

The behavioral animal models of stress ulcer in the rat include immobilization, conflict, predictability, coping and avoidance responding. Research with these ulcer techniques is briefly reviewed. The activity-stress ulcer model is described and recent findings summarized. Physiological investigations of stress ulcer have produced considerable information regarding the proximal causes of ulcer disease. Behavioral scientists can make significant contributions to the study of stress ulcer by evaluating predisposing variables and by observing the relevant precipitating environmental events which lead to ulcer development.