This research was supported by the Israel Science Foundation (grant No. 738/11), by the National Institute for Psychobiology in Israel (NIPI-7-2011-12), and by the Open University Foundation

NOTA: Tutti i protocolli sperimentali sono stati approvati dal Comitato Internazionale per cura degli animali e uso in Israele. Sono stati fatti tutti gli sforzi per ridurre al minimo il numero di animali utilizzati e le loro sofferenze. 1. Preparazione per la Swim test forzato <ol><li> Utilizzare due stanze adiacenti. Utilizzare una camera come una &quot;sala d&#39;attesa&quot; per trattenere gli animali prima della prova comportamentale, e l&#39;altra per l&#39;esecuzione della procedura. </li><li> Preparare contenitori di vetro cilindrico trasparente (l&#39;unica limitazione per il numero di contenitori è lo spazio disponibile) misura 50 cm di altezza e un diametro di 20 cm. NOTA: E &#39;possibile eseguire più animali contemporaneamente nella stessa stanza. Se è così, separare i contenitori tra loro con uno schermo scuro in modo che gli animali non vedranno l&#39;altro durante la procedura. </li><li> Preparare videocamera (s) di fronte dei contenitori in modo che ogni telecamera percepisce uno o più contenitori in un modo che will consentire la chiara osservazione del comportamento degli animali in seguito durante la visualizzazione del filmato. </li><li> Preparare gabbie essiccazione pulite, lampade di calore e pastiglie di calore per gli animali che hanno terminato la procedura per evitare l&#39;ipotermia. Assicurarsi che il fondo della gabbia è carta assorbente e cambiarlo quando si bagna. Non mettere le gabbie in sala prove. NOTA: Assicurarsi di non mescolare gli animali provenienti da diverse gabbie a casa, mentre hanno la dimora nelle gabbie di essiccazione transitori. </li></ol> 2. Animal Handling prima del test <ol><li> Animali domestici in una stanza con una luce 12 ore / ciclo scuro. </li><li> Durante i giorni della procedura sperimentale invia animali libero accesso a cibo e acqua, tranne per il tempo specifico trascorso in camera procedimento. </li><li> Quando si usano ratti, gestire gli animali per circa 2 minuti al giorno, 5 giorni prima dell&#39;inizio della procedura sperimentale. </li></ol> 3. Procedura di formazione IlSi opera in modo diverso per ratti e topi. NOTA: Per entrambi i topi e ratti, osservare gli animali mentre sono in acqua in ogni momento. In caso di un animale appare in grave difficoltà (ad esempio molto stanco, non può rimanere fino float) togliere l&#39;animale dall&#39;acqua e la esclude dalla dell&#39;esperimento. <ol><li> Per i topi - C&#39;è una sessione 6 min lungo, diviso in pre-test (la prima 2 min) e test (l&#39;ultimo 4 min). <ol><li> Affinché i topi per abituarsi all&#39;ambiente di test, trasportare gli animali nelle loro gabbie a casa almeno 30 minuti prima del test comportamentali per la sala d&#39;attesa. </li><li> Riempire i cilindri con acqua di rubinetto a 25 ° C e regolare la profondità dell&#39;acqua in base alle dimensioni del mouse &#39;, in modo che non può toccare il fondo del contenitore con le zampe posteriori. </li><li> Segnare il cilindro con il numero di animali ai fini dell&#39;identificazione dell&#39;animale in seguito durante la visualizzazione del filmato. </li><li>Accendere il video della telecamera / s e quindi inserire ogni topo nel contenitore cilindro riempito d&#39;acqua per 6 min. </li><li> Trascorsi 6 minuti, spegnere la fotocamera / s, rimuovere il mouse dal contenitore e metterlo nella gabbia di essiccazione transitorio con la lampada di calore sopra di esso e il pad di calore sotto. I topi deve essere attentamente e costantemente monitorato, mentre il recupero in questa gabbia. A questo scopo è possibile collocare un termometro a livello dei topi per assicurarsi che la temperatura nella gabbia non superi 37 ° C. Inoltre, posizionare la gabbia tale che non tutto cade sotto la lampada o sul pad; questo permette al mouse per spostarsi in una zona più fredda se lo si desidera. </li><li> Cambiare l&#39;acqua dopo ogni sessione per evitare qualsiasi influenza sul successivo mouse. </li></ol></li><li> Per i ratti - Ci sono 2 sessioni, 24 ore di distanza. La prima sessione è la fase di pre-test (15 min) e la seconda sessione è la fase di prova (5 min). <ol><li> Affinché i ratti per ottenere acclimatati allatest ambiente, trasportare gli animali nelle loro gabbie a casa almeno 30 minuti prima del test comportamentali per la sala d&#39;attesa. </li><li> Riempire i cilindri con acqua di rubinetto a 23 ± 1 ° C e regolare la profondità dell&#39;acqua in base alle dimensioni del ratto, in modo che non può toccare il fondo del contenitore con le zampe posteriori. </li><li> Segnare il cilindro con il numero di animali ai fini dell&#39;identificazione dell&#39;animale in seguito durante la visualizzazione del filmato. </li><li> Inserire ogni ratto nel contenitore cilindro riempito di acqua per 15 min. </li><li> Dopo 15 min sono trascorsi rimuovere il ratto dal contenitore e posizionarlo nella gabbia essiccazione transitoria con la lampada di calore sopra di esso e il pad di calore sotto. Il ratto deve essere attentamente e costantemente monitorato, mentre il recupero in questa gabbia. A questo scopo è possibile collocare un termometro a livello del topo per assicurarsi che la temperatura nella gabbia non superi 37 ° C. Inoltre, posizionare la gabbia tale che non tutto falls sotto la lampada o sopra il pad; questo permette il ratto per spostarsi una zona più fredda se desiderato. </li><li> Cambiare l&#39;acqua dopo ogni sessione per evitare qualsiasi influenza sul successivo ratto. NOTA: Questa è la fine della fase di pre-test. </li><li> Ventiquattro ore più tardi, in modo che i topi per ottenere acclimatati per l&#39;ambiente di test, trasportare gli animali nelle loro gabbie a casa almeno 30 minuti prima del test comportamentali per la sala d&#39;attesa. </li><li> Riempire i cilindri con acqua di rubinetto a 23 ± 1 ° C e regolare la profondità dell&#39;acqua in base alle dimensioni del ratto, in modo che non può toccare il fondo del contenitore con le zampe posteriori. </li><li> Segnare il cilindro con il numero di animali ai fini dell&#39;identificazione dell&#39;animale in seguito durante la visualizzazione del filmato. </li><li> Accendere il video della telecamera / s e quindi inserire il topo nel contenitore cilindro riempito d&#39;acqua per 5 minuti. Assicurarsi che ogni ratto è testato nello stesso contenitore e la posizione nella stanza come il giorno precedente. </li&gt; <li> Dopo 5 minuti sono trascorsi accendere la fotocamera / s, rimuovere il ratto dal contenitore e metterlo nella gabbia di essiccazione transitorio con la lampada di calore sopra di esso e il pad di calore sotto. Il ratto deve essere attentamente e costantemente monitorato, mentre il recupero in questa gabbia. A questo scopo è possibile collocare un termometro a livello del topo per assicurarsi che la temperatura nella gabbia non superi 37 ° C. Inoltre, posizionare la gabbia tale che non tutto cade sotto la lampada o sul pad; questo permette il ratto per spostarsi una zona più fredda se desiderato. </li><li> Cambiare l&#39;acqua dopo ogni sessione per evitare qualsiasi influenza sul successivo ratto. NOTA: Questa è la fine della fase di test. </li></ol></li></ol> 4. La codifica Behavioral Per i topi, codificare l&#39;ultima 4 min definita come la fase di test. Per ratti, codificare il 5 min della fase di test. <ol><li> Codice la durata del tempo trascorso come &quot;Immobile&quot;, se il mouse è mobilecon l&#39;assenza di qualsiasi movimento tranne quelli necessari per mantenere il naso sopra l&#39;acqua. </li><li> Codice la durata del tempo trascorso come &quot;Lottando / arrampicata&quot; se si osservano rapidi movimenti degli arti anteriori in modo che le zampe anteriori rompono la superficie dell&#39;acqua. </li><li> Codice la durata del tempo trascorso come &quot;Swimming&quot; Se il movimento di arti anteriori o posteriori degli arti in maniera bambini si osserva. NOTA: È possibile utilizzare un modo alternativo per codificare questi comportamenti, questo include un metodo di tempo-di campionamento. Il tasso di nuoto, lotta o l&#39;immobilità come la frequenza degli episodi a 5 sec intervalli per tutta la sessione di test. </li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Il FST è utilizzato per monitorare il comportamento depressivo simile e si basa sul presupposto che l&#39;immobilità riflette una misura di disperazione comportamentale 3. I principali vantaggi di questa procedura risiede nella sua relativamente facile funzionamento e risultati veloci. Inoltre, la sua sensibilità ad una vasta gamma di farmaci antidepressivi che lo rende un test di screening adatto è una delle caratteristiche più importanti che conducono alla sua elevata validità predittiva 29.</sup...

La depressione è un disturbo psichiatrico pericolo di vita e un importante problema di salute pubblica in tutto il mondo, con una incidenza del 5% e una prevalenza una tantum del 15-20%. Inoltre, si stima che entro il 2020 la depressione sarà tra i primi tre contribuenti l&#39;onere della malattia 1,2. La depressione è associata a disabilità, riduzione della qualità della vita, l&#39;aumento dei costi relativi alla salute ed è considerato un fattore di rischio principale per molte malattie, tra cui cardiovascolari, metaboliche e disturbi neuropsichiatrici 3,4 .Current trattamenti farmaco-terapeutica hanno limitato l&#39;efficacia e sono associati con molti effetti collaterali deleteri 5,6. Pertanto, una migliore comprensione della fisiopatologia di questo disturbo insieme con lo sviluppo di trattamenti innovativi e migliorati rimane fondamentale. Quindi, modelli animali sono essenziali per promuovere la ricerca in questo campo. Ci sono molti modelli utilizzati per lo studio di questo disturbo (&lt;em&gt; eg test di preferenza saccarosio test di sospensione coda) con il test del nuoto forzato (FST, noto anche come test di Porsolt dopo l&#39;autore di questo modello 7,8) essendo uno dei test più comunemente utilizzati 7,9-12. Durante la FST un animale viene posto in un contenitore pieno d&#39;acqua da cui non può sfuggire. L&#39;animale sarà in primo luogo cercare di scappare, ma alla fine sarà presente l&#39;immobilità (cioè galleggiante con l&#39;assenza di qualsiasi movimento ad eccezione di quelli necessari per mantenere il naso sopra l&#39;acqua). La FST è un modello molto popolare in ricerca animale per una serie di motivi. Innanzitutto, essa comporta l&#39;esposizione degli animali a stress, che è stato dimostrato di avere un ruolo nella tendenza depressione maggiore 12-14. Inoltre la depressione è spesso visto come una mancanza di capacità di gestire lo stress 15-17. In secondo luogo, il trattamento farmacologico con antidepressivi prima della prova, è stato dimostrato per ridurre immobilità nel FST &lt;sup&gt; 18-23. Pertanto, è spesso utilizzato come test di screening per i nuovi composti con potenziali proprietà antidepressive 15-17,24. Inoltre, la FST ha dimostrato di condividere alcuni dei fattori che sono influenzati o alterati da depressione negli esseri umani, come ad esempio i cambiamenti dei consumi alimentari, alterazioni del sonno e anedonia 15-17,24 droga-ritiro-indotta. Questo è anche il motivo per cui questo test è talvolta usato per valutare il comportamento depressivo-simile nei topi mutanti, con aumento o diminuzione della immobilità basale (rispetto al &#39;wild-type&#39; topi) 25,26.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Computer</td><td>Dell</td><td></td><td>Intel&amp;#174; Core&amp;#153; i3-2120 cpu @ 3.30 GHz, 4 GB ram</td></tr><tr><td>Camera</td><td>VIDO</td><td>AU-CB422</td><td>B/W CCD CAMERA&amp;nbsp;&lt;br/&gt; http://www.vido-europe.com/products_detail.asp?id=33&amp;amp;pcategory=2</td></tr><tr><td>Coding software</td><td>Biobserve</td><td></td><td>FST Analysis&lt;br/&gt; http://www.biobserve.com/products/fst/index.html</td></tr><tr><td>Heating lamp</td><td>Ikea</td><td>AA-19025-3</td><td>ESPRESSIVIO 400.504.46&amp;nbsp;- 20W G4 Bulb&amp;nbsp;&lt;br/&gt; http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/customer_service/assembly/E/E00050467.pdf</td></tr><tr><td>Heating&amp;nbsp;pillow</td><td>Sachs</td><td>EF-188B</td><td>38*38cm Heating&amp;nbsp;pillow&lt;br/&gt; http://www.sachs.co.il/eng/lego_tree.php?instance_id=21&amp;amp;actions=show&amp;amp;id=&lt;br/&gt; 604</td></tr></tbody></table>

the forced swim test as a model of depressive-like behavior

The goal of the present protocol is to describe the forced swim test (FST), which is one of the most commonly used assays for the study of depressive-like behavior in rodents. The FST is based on the assumption that when placing an animal in a container filled with water, it will first make efforts to escape but eventually will exhibit immobility that may be considered to reflect a measure of behavioral despair. This test has been extensively used because it involves the exposure of the animals to stress, which was shown to have a role in the tendency for major depression. Additionally, the FST has been shown to share some of the factors that are influenced or altered by depression in humans, including changes in food consumption, sleep abnormalities and drug-withdrawal-induced anhedonia. The main advantages of this procedure are that it is relatively easy to perform and that its results are easily and quickly analyzed. Moreover, its sensitivity to a broad range of antidepressant drugs that makes it a suitable screening test is one of the most important features leading to its high predictive validity. Despite its appeal, this model has a number of disadvantages. First, the issue of chronic augmentation is problematic in this test because in real life patients need to be treated for at least several weeks before they experience any relief from their symptoms. Last, due to the aversiveness of the FST, it is important to take into account possible influences it might have on brain structure/function if brain analyses are to be carried out following this procedure.

I seguenti risultati si basano su dati pubblicati dal nostro laboratorio. In questo esperimento, i topi femmina adulta ICR sono stati testati dopo 3 settimane di trattamento con l&#39;inibitore selettivo della ricaptazione della serotonina (SSRI) escitalopram o nuovo trattamento a base di erbe anti-depressivi e anti-ansia (NHT) (per ulteriori informazioni in merito al trattamento a base di erbe, vedere 12 , 27,28). One-way ANOVA ha rivelato che il trattamento ha ridotto comportamento depressivo-come nel FST [...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior at JoVE.com

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

This protocol describes the forced swim test, which is used for the study of depressive-like behavior in rodents. This procedure involves placing an animal in a container filled with water that eventually will lead to the exhibition of immobility behavior, which is considered to reflect behavioral despair.

Il Swim test forzato come modello di depressione-come Behavior

The goal of the present protocol is to describe the forced swim test (FST), which is one of the most commonly used assays for the study of depressive-like ...

the-forced-swim-test-as-a-model-of-depressive-like-behavior

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

37.1K Views.  Tel-Aviv University. This protocol describes the forced swim test, which is used for the study of depressive-like behavior in rodents. This procedure involves placing an animal in a container filled with water that eventually will lead to the exhibition of immobility behavior, which is considered to reflect behavioral despair.

Video: The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

A Mouse Model of Subchronic and Mild Social Defeat Stress for Understanding Stress-induced Behavioral and Physiological Deficits

Stressful life events often increase the incidence of depression in humans. To study the mechanisms of depression, the development of animal models of depression is essential. Because there are several types of depression, various animal models are needed for a deeper understanding of the disorder. Previously, a mouse model of subchronic and mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) using a modified chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm was established. In the paradigm, to reduce physical injuries from aggressors, the duration of physical contact between the aggressor and a subordinate was reduced compared to in the original CSDS paradigm. sCSDS mice showed increased body weight gain, food intake, and water intake during the stress period, and their social behaviors were suppressed after the stress period. In terms of the face validity of the stress-induced overeating and overdrinking following the increased body weight gain, the sCSDS mice may show some features related to atypical depression in humans. Thus, a mouse model of sCSDS may be useful for studying the pathogenic mechanisms underlying depression. This protocol will help establish the sCSDS mouse model, especially for studying the mechanisms underlying stress-induced weight gain and polydipsia- and hyperphagia-like symptoms.

Here, methods for developing a mouse model of subchronic and mild social defeat stress are described and used to investigate the pathogenic features of depression including hyperphagia- and polydipsia-like symptoms following increased body weight.

Un modello murino di subcronica e Mild Sconfitta sociale stress per la comprensione deficit comportamentali e fisiologiche allo stress indotto

Stressful life events often increase the incidence of depression in humans. To study the mechanisms of depression, the development of animal models of ...

Ricerca

Comportamento

The Mouse Forced Swim Test

The forced swim test is a rodent behavioral test used for evaluation of antidepressant drugs, antidepressant efficacy of new compounds, and experimental manipulations that are aimed at rendering or preventing depressive-like states. Mice are placed in an inescapable transparent tank that is filled with water and their escape related mobility behavior is measured. The forced swim test is straightforward to conduct reliably and it requires minimal specialized equipment. Successful implementation of the forced swim test requires adherence to certain procedural details and minimization of unwarranted stress to the mice. In the protocol description and the accompanying video, we explain how to conduct the mouse version of this test with emphasis on potential pitfalls that may be detrimental to interpretation of results and how to avoid them. Additionally, we explain how the behaviors manifested in the test are assessed.

The forced swim test is validated as an experimental approach to assess potential antidepressant efficacy in rodents. Experimental animals are placed in a tank of water and escape-related mobility behavior is quantified. The common procedures for the mouse version of this test are described.

La forzata mouse test Swim

The forced swim test is a rodent behavioral test used for evaluation of antidepressant drugs, antidepressant efficacy of new compounds, and experimental ...

Neuroscienze

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Contagious depression is a phenomenon that is yet to be fully recognized and this stems from insufficient material on the subject. At the moment, there is no existing format for studying the mechanism of action, prevention, containment, and treatment of contagious depression. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to establish the first animal model of contagious depression.
Healthy rats can contract depressive behaviors if exposed to depressed rats. Depression is induced in rats by subjecting them to several manipulations of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) over 5 weeks, as described in the protocol. A successful sucrose preference test confirmed the development of depression in the rats. The CUS-exposed rats were then caged with na&#239;ve rats from the contagion group (1 na&#239;ve rat/2 depressed rats in a cage) for an additional 5 weeks. 30 social groups were created from the combination of CUS-exposed rats and na&#239;ve rats.
This proposed depression-contagion protocol in animals consists mainly of cohabiting CUS-exposed and healthy rats for 5 weeks. To ensure that this method works, a series of tests are carried out - first, the sucrose preference test upon inducing depression to rats, then, the sucrose preference test, alongside the open field and forced-swim tests at the end of the cohabitation period. Throughout the experiment, rats are given tags and are always returned to their cages after each test.
A few limitations to this method are the weak differences recorded between the experimental and control groups in the sucrose preference test and the irreversible traumatic outcome of the forced swim test. These may be worth considering for suitability before any future application of the protocol. Nonetheless, following the experiment, na&#239;ve rats developed contagion depression after 5 weeks of sharing the same cage with the CUS-exposed rats.

This protocol describes a new model by which healthy rats could contract depression over a given time periodthrough contagion by exposure to chronic unpredictable stressed (CUS) rats.

Un nuovo metodo per indurre un comportamento depressione-come in ratti

Contagious depression is a phenomenon that is yet to be fully recognized and this stems from insufficient material on the subject. At the moment, there is ...

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice

Depression is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, only partially addressed by current pharmacotherapies. The lack of response to treatment by many patients prompts the need to develop new therapeutic alternatives and to better understand the etiology of the disorder. Pre-clinical models with translational merits are rudimentary for this task. Here we present a protocol for the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) method in mice. In this protocol, adolescent mice are chronically exposed to interchanging unpredictable mild stressors. Resembling the pathogenesis of depression in humans, stress exposure during the sensitive period of mice adolescence instigates a depressive-like phenotype evident in adulthood. UCMS can be used for screenings of antidepressants on the variety of depressive-like behaviors and neuromolecular indices. Among the more prominent tests to assess depressive-like behavior in rodents is the sucrose preference test (SPT), which reflects anhedonia (core symptom of depression). The SPT will also be presented in this protocol. The ability of UCMS to induce anhedonia, instigate long-term behavioral deficits and enable reversal of these deficits via chronic (but not acute) treatment with antidepressants strengthens the protocol&#39;s validity compared to other animal protocols for inducing depressive-like behaviors.

Here we present the unpredictable chronic mild stress protocol in mice. This protocol induces a long-term depressive-like phenotype and enables to assess the efficacy of putative antidepressants in reversing the behavioral and neuromolecular depressive-like deficits.

Il protocollo di sforzo delicato cronico imprevedibile per indurre anedonia in topi

Depression is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, only partially addressed by current pharmacotherapies. The lack of response to treatment by ...

Evaluating the Anti-depression Effect of Xiaoyaosan on Chronically-stressed Mice

In addition to the standardized use of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy, the usage of traditional Chinese medicine has lead to an overall improvement of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish the mouse depressive model, observe the behavior changes associated with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and then evaluate the anti-depression effect of Xiaoyaosan. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a model group, a treatment group with Xiaoyaosan, and a treatment group with fluoxetine. All mice were individually kept in cages, and depression was induced in the mice by exposing them to several designed manipulations of CUMS for 21 days, as described in the protocol. Mice in the control group and model group received 0.5 mL of distilled water, while mice in the treatment groups received either Xiaoyaosan (0.25 g/kg/day) or fluoxetine (2.6 mg/kg/day). The drugs used in the study were given intragastrically daily during the entire three weeks. To estimate the depressive-like behaviors, a series of parameters including the coat state, body weight, open field test score, and sucrose preference test score were recorded. Data analysis showed that behaviors of model mice were significantly changed compared to behaviors of mice in the control group, which were improved by the treatment of Xiaoyaosan and fluoxetine. The current findings demonstrated the anti-depression effects of Xiaoyaosan on the behaviors of CUMS-induced mice and revealed that compounds from the Xiaoyaosan prescription may be worthwhile for treating depression, considering their beneficial effects on depressive-like behaviors.

Here, we present a protocol to establish the mouse depressive model, observe the behavior changes associated with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and evaluate the anti-depression effect of Xiaoyaosan.

Valutazione dell'effetto di anti-depressione di Xiaoyaosan sui topi cronicamente stressato

In addition to the standardized use of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy, the usage of traditional Chinese medicine has lead to an overall ...

A Behavioral Test Battery for the Repeated Assessment of Motor Skills, Mood, and Cognition in Mice

Pharmacological and toxicological studies in neurodegeneration require comprehensive behavioral analysis in mice because motor dysfunctions and dysfunctions in mood and cognition are common and often shared symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases. Shown here is a behavioral test battery for motor, mood, and cognition, which can be repeatedly tested in a longitudinal study. This battery assesses the overall behavioral phenotype in mice by examining each domain of behavior with at least two independent well-accepted tests (i.e., open-field test and rotarod test for motor function, social interaction test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swim test for emotional function, and Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test for cognitive function). Therefore, this sensitive and comprehensive test battery is a powerful tool for the study of behavioral alternation in neurodegeneration.

A comprehensive behavioral test battery of motor skills, mood&#8212;including social interaction, depression, and anxiety&#8212;and cognition is designed for the repeated assessment of neurodegeneration-related behavioral changes in mice.

Una batteria di Test comportamentali per la valutazione ripetuta di abilità motorie, l'umore e cognizione in topi

Pharmacological and toxicological studies in neurodegeneration require comprehensive behavioral analysis in mice because motor dysfunctions and ...

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Depression is not yet fully understood, but various causative factors have been reported. Recently, the prevalence of depression has increased. However, therapeutic treatments for depression or research on depression is scarce. Thus, in the present paper, we propose a mouse model of depression induced by movement restriction. Chronic mild stress (CMS) is a well-known technique to induce depressive-like behavior. However, it necessitates a complex procedure consisting of a combination of various mild stresses. In contrast, chronic immobilization stress (CIS) is a readily accessible chronic stress model, modified from a restraint model that induces depressive behavior by restricting movement using a restrainer for a certain period. To evaluate the depressive-like behaviors, the sucrose preference test (SPT), the tail suspension test (TST), and the ELISA assay to measure stress marker corticosterone levels are combined in the present experiment. The described protocols illustrate the induction of CIS and evaluation of the changes in behavior and physiological factors for the validation of depression.

This article provides a simplified and standardized protocol for induction of depressive-like behavior in chronically immobilized mice by using a restrainer. In addition, behavior and physiological techniques to verify induction of depression are explained.

Un protocollo di stress cronico per indurre comportamenti simili alla depressione nei topi

Depression is not yet fully understood, but various causative factors have been reported. Recently, the prevalence of depression has increased. However, ...

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Sleep disturbance is generally common in populations as a chronic disease or a complained event. Chronic sleep disturbance is proposed to be closely linked to the pathogenesis of diseases, especially neurodegenerative diseases. We recently found that 2 months of sleep fragmentation initiated Alzheimer&#8217;s disease (AD)-like behavioral and pathological changes in young wild-type mice. Herein, we present a standardized protocol to achieve chronic sleep fragmentation (CSF). Briefly, CSF was induced by an orbital rotor vibrating at 110 rpm and operating with a repetitive cycle of 10 s-on, 110 s-off, during light-ON phase (8:00 AM&#8211;8:00 PM) continuously for up to 2 months. Impairments of spatial learning and memory, anxiety-like but not depression-like behavior in mice as consequences of CSF modeling, were evaluated with Morris water maze (MWM), Novel object recognition (NOR), Open field test (OFT) and Forced swimming test (FST). In comparison with other sleep manipulations, this protocol minimizes the handling labors and maximizes the modeling efficiency. It produces stable phenotypes in young wild-type mice and can be potentially generated for a variety of research purposes.

Presented here is a protocol for chronic sleep fragmentation (CSF) model achieved by an electrically controlled orbital rotor, which could induce confirmed cognitive deficit and anxiety-like behavior in young wild-type mice. This model can be applied to explore the pathogenesis of chronic sleep disturbance and related disorders.

Un modello di frammentazione del sonno cronico che utilizza il rotore orbitale vibrante per indurre deficit cognitivo e comportamento simile all'ansia nei giovani topi di tipo selvaggio

Sleep disturbance is generally common in populations as a chronic disease or a complained event. Chronic sleep disturbance is proposed to be closely ...

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent forms of mental illnesses and causes tremendous individual suffering and socioeconomic burden. Despite its importance, current pharmacological treatment is limited, and novel treatment options are urgently needed. One key factor in the search for potential new drugs is evaluating their anti-depressive potency in appropriate animal models. The classical Porsolt forced swim test was used for this purpose for decades to induce and assess a depressive-like state. It consists of two short periods of forced swimming: the first to induce a depressed state and the second on the following day to evaluate the antidepressant effect of the agent given in between the two swim sessions. This model might be suitable as a screening tool for potential antidepressive agents but ignores the delayed onset of action of many antidepressants. The CDM was recently established and represented a modification of the classical test with notable differences. Mice are forced to swim for 5 consecutive days, following the idea that in humans, depression is induced by chronic rather than by acute stress. In a resting period of several days (1-3 weeks), animals develop sustained behavioral despair. The standard read-out method is the measurement of immobility time in an additional delayed swim session, but several alternative methods are proposed to get a broader view of the mood status of the animal. Multiple analysis tools can be used targeting behavioral, molecular, and electrophysiological changes. The depressed phenotype is stable for at least 4 weeks, providing a time window for rapid but also subchronic antidepressant treatment strategies. Furthermore, alterations in the development of a depressive-like state can be addressed using this approach. CDM, therefore, represents a useful tool to better understand depression and to develop novel treatment interventions.

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

The chronic despair mouse model (CDM) of depression consists of repetitive forced swim sessions and another delayed swim phase as a read-out. It represents a suitable model for induction of a chronic depressive-like state stable for at least 4 weeks, amendable to evaluate subchronic and acute treatment interventions.

Modelli animali di depressione - Modello di disperazione cronica (CDM)

Major depressive disorder is one of the most prevalent forms of mental illnesses and causes tremendous individual suffering and socioeconomic burden. ...

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). While the exact underlying neurobiology is not yet fully understood, imbalances in neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopamine, appear to play a central role. For this reason, manipulations of dopaminergic pathways have been used to model mania or depression in rodents. However, models that accurately represent the typical switch between these two episodes are rare, limiting face validity. In a unique model, modern techniques are used to temporarily increase dopamine D1 receptor expression, which has been implicated in the pathology of bipolar disorder. A tetracycline-inducible lentiviral construct that expresses the dopamine D1 receptor under the control of the calmodulin kinase II alpha promoter is stereotactically injected into the medial prefrontal cortex of adult rats. Dopamine D1 receptor overexpression is achieved by adding the tetracycline analog doxycycline to the animals&#39; drinking water, leading to an increase in reward-related, impulsive, and risk-taking behaviors and a decrease in anxiety. These behaviors resemble a mania-like phenotype. By removing doxycycline from the drinking water, a depressive-like phenotype, characterized by increased helplessness and anhedonia, can be induced within the same animal. This article provides a step-by-step protocol for performing the surgery, as well as procedures for inducing the bipolar disorder-like phenotype. Additionally, considerations for assessing behavioral changes associated with mania-like and depressive-like behavior are described. This promising model, which demonstrates good construct and face validity, offers a valuable tool for further investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of bipolar disorder.

This article presents a protocol for the induction of a unique rat model of bipolar disorder that captures both mania-like and depressive-like behavior.

Sviluppo di un modello di ratto per il disturbo bipolare

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). ...