Name: the mouse forced swim test
Uploaded: 2012-01-29T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Mouse Forced Swim Test at JoVE.com

This study has been supported by the grant NIHM R01 MH091816 and R21 MH084043 to TDG.

1. Materials and Method
1.1. The water tanks
The cylindrical tanks (30 cm height x 20 cm diameters) required for the mouse forced swim test (FST) in our laboratory are constructed of transparent Plexiglas, as this material is able to withstand the frequent movement of the tanks and accidents better than glass. The water level is 15 cm from the bottom and should be marked on the tank to ensure that the volume of water is consistent across mice. The number of tanks should ...

<ol>
	<li>Hasco&#233;t, M., Bourin, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> In Mood and Anxiety Related Phenotypes in Mice. 42, 85-118 (2009).</li><li>Sunal, R., G&#252;m&#252;&#231;el, a. B., Kayaalp, S. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+changes+in+swimming+area+on+results+of+"behavioral+despair+test".">Effect of changes in swimming area on results of "behavioral despair test".</a> Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 49, 891-896 (1994).</li><li>Petit-Demouliere, B., Chenu, F., Bourin, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Forced+swimming+test+in+mice:+a+review+of+antidepressant+activity.">Forced swimming test in mice: a review of antidepressant activity.</a> Psychopharmacology. (Berl). 177, 245-255 (2005).</li><li>Cryan, J. F., Markou, A., Lucki, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessing+antidepressant+activity+in+rodents:+recent+developments+and+future+needs.">Assessing antidepressant activity in rodents: recent developments and future needs.</a> Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 23, 238-245 (2002).</li><li>Can, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antidepressant-like+responses+to+lithium+in+genetically+diverse+mouse+strains.">Antidepressant-like responses to lithium in genetically diverse mouse strains.</a> Genes, Brain and Behavior. 10, 434-443 (2011).</li><li>Lucki, I., Dalvi, A., Mayorga, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sensitivity+to+the+effects+of+pharmacologically+selective+antidepressants+in+different+strains+of+mice.">Sensitivity to the effects of pharmacologically selective antidepressants in different strains of mice.</a> Psychopharmacology. (Berl). 155, 315-322 (2001).</li><li>David, D. J., Renard, C. E., Jolliet, P., Hascoet, M., Bourin, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antidepressant-like+effects+in+various+mice+strains+in+the+forced+swimming+test.">Antidepressant-like effects in various mice strains in the forced swimming test.</a> Psychopharmacology (Berl). 166, 373-382 (2003).</li><li>Bai, F., Li, X., Clay, M., Lindstrom, T., Skolnick, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intra-+and+interstrain+differences+in+models+of+"behavioral+despair".">Intra- and interstrain differences in models of "behavioral despair".</a> Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 70, 187-192 (2001).</li><li>Guzzetti, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Strain+differences+in+paroxetine-induced+reduction+of+immobility+time+in+the+forced+swimming+test+in+mice:+Role+of+serotonin.">Strain differences in paroxetine-induced reduction of immobility time in the forced swimming test in mice: Role of serotonin.</a> European Journal of Pharmacology. 594, 117-124 (2008).</li><li>Cervo, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genotype-dependent+activity+of+tryptophan+hydroxylase-2+determines+the+response+to+citalopram+in+a+mouse+model+of+depression.">Genotype-dependent activity of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 determines the response to citalopram in a mouse model of depression.</a> J. Neurosci. 25, 8165-8172 (2005).</li><li>Jiao, J., Nitzke, A., Doukas, D., Seiglie, M., Dulawa, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antidepressant+response+to+chronic+citalopram+treatment+in+eight+inbred+mouse+strains.">Antidepressant response to chronic citalopram treatment in eight inbred mouse strains.</a> Psychopharmacology. 213, 509-520 (2011).</li><li>Porsolt, R. D., Pichon, M. L. e., Jalfre, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Depression:+a+new+animal+model+sensitive+to+antidepressant+treatments.">Depression: a new animal model sensitive to antidepressant treatments.</a> Nature. 266, 730-732 (1977).</li><li>Porsolt, R. D., Bertin, A., Jalfre, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+despair+in+mice:+a+primary+screening+test+for+antidepressants.">Behavioral despair in mice: a primary screening test for antidepressants.</a> Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther. 229, 327-336 (1977).</li><li>Porsolt, R. D., Bertin, A., Jalfre, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term="Behavioural+despair"+in+rats+and+mice:+strain+differences+and+the+effects+of+imipramine.">"Behavioural despair" in rats and mice: strain differences and the effects of imipramine.</a> Eur. J. Pharmacol. 51, 291-294 (1978).</li><li>Mineur, Y. S., Belzung, C., Crusio, W. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+unpredictable+chronic+mild+stress+on+anxiety+and+depression-like+behavior+in+mice.">Effects of unpredictable chronic mild stress on anxiety and depression-like behavior in mice.</a> Behav. Brain. Res. 175, 43-50 (2006).</li><li>Millstein, R. A., Holmes, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+repeated+maternal+separation+on+anxiety-+and+depression-related+phenotypes+in+different+mouse+strains.">Effects of repeated maternal separation on anxiety- and depression-related phenotypes in different mouse strains.</a> Neuroscience &#38; Biobehavioral Reviews. 31, 3-17 (2007).</li><li>Cryan, J. F., Valentino, R. J., Lucki, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessing+substrates+underlying+the+behavioral+effects+of+antidepressants+using+the+modified+rat+forced+swimming+test.">Assessing substrates underlying the behavioral effects of antidepressants using the modified rat forced swimming test.</a> Neuroscience &#38; Biobehavioral Reviews. 29, 547-569 (2005).</li><li>Crowley, J. J., Jones, O. '. L. e. a. r. y., F, O., Lucki, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+tests+for+measuring+the+effects+of+antidepressants+in+mice.">Automated tests for measuring the effects of antidepressants in mice.</a> Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 78, 269-274 (2004).</li><li>Kurtuncu, M., Luka, L. J., Dimitrijevic, N., Uz, T., Manev, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reliability+assessment+of+an+automated+forced+swim+test+device+using+two+mouse+strains.">Reliability assessment of an automated forced swim test device using two mouse strains.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 149, 26-30 (2005).</li><li>Hayashi, E., Shimamura, M., Kuratani, K., Kinoshita, M., Hara, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+experimental+system+capturing+three+behavioral+components+during+murine+forced+swim+test.">Automated experimental system capturing three behavioral components during murine forced swim test.</a> Life Sciences. 88, 411-417 (2011).</li><li>Cryan, J., Page, M., Lucki, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+behavioral+effects+of+the+antidepressants+reboxetine,+fluoxetine,+and+moclobemide+in+a+modified+forced+swim+test+following+chronic+treatment.">Differential behavioral effects of the antidepressants reboxetine, fluoxetine, and moclobemide in a modified forced swim test following chronic treatment.</a> Psychopharmacology. 182, 335-344 (2005).</li><li>Gould, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beta-catenin+overexpression+in+the+mouse+brain+phenocopies+lithium-sensitive+behaviors.">Beta-catenin overexpression in the mouse brain phenocopies lithium-sensitive behaviors.</a> Neuropsychopharmacology. 32, 2173-2183 (2007).</li><li>Can, A., Grahame, N. J., Gould, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Affect-related+related+behaviors+in+mice+selectively+bred+for+high+and+low+voluntary+alcohol+consumption.">Affect-related related behaviors in mice selectively bred for high and low voluntary alcohol consumption.</a> Behav. Genet. , (2011).</li><li>McKinney, W. T., Bunney, W. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+Model+of+Depression:+I+Review+of+Evidence:+Implications+for+Research..">Animal Model of Depression: I Review of Evidence: Implications for Research..</a> Arch. Gen. Psychiatry. 21, 240-248 (1969).</li><li>Willner, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+validity+of+animal+models+of+depression.">The validity of animal models of depression.</a> Psychopharmacology.(Berl). 83, 1-16 (1984).</li><li>Detke, M. J., Lucki, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+serotonergic+and+noradrenergic+antidepressants+in+the+rat+forced+swimming+test:+the+effects+of+water+depth.">Detection of serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants in the rat forced swimming test: the effects of water depth.</a> Behav. Brain Res. 73, 43-46 (1995).</li><li>Gould, T. D., Dao, D. T., Kovacsics, C. E., Gould, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> In Mood and Anxiety Related Phenotypes in mice: characterization using behavioral tests. 42, (2009).</li><li>Bourin, M., Fiocco, A. J., Clenet, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+valuable+are+animal+models+in+defining+antidepressant+activity.">How valuable are animal models in defining antidepressant activity.</a> Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 16, 9-21 (2001).</li></ol>

The FST (sometimes called Porsolt swim test) was developed first for rats and then modified for mice by Porsolt and colleagues12,13. In addition to the above-described protocol successful in our laboratory, a number of largely subtle test modifications have been published (see Hasco&euml;t and Bourin for a complete review1). It is a common test used for evaluation of the efficacy of anti-depressant drugs and the effects of various behavioral and neurobiological manipulations in basic and preclinical...

<ul>
<li>Water tanks</li>
<li>Thermometer</li>
<li>Timer</li>
<li>Video Camera</li>
<li>White Noise Generator (optional)</li>
<li>Drying Paper</li>
</ul>

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.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Mouse Forced Swim Test at JoVE.com

The Mouse Forced Swim Test

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.

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

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The field of mouse phenotyping with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is rapidly growing, motivated by the need for improved tools for characterizing and ...

Detection of Neuritic Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia. Neuritic plaque formation is one of the pathological hallmarks ...

T-maze Forced Alternation and Left-right Discrimination Tasks for Assessing Working and Reference Memory in Mice

Forced alternation and left-right discrimination tasks using the T-maze have been widely used to assess working and reference memory, respectively, in ...

The Tail Suspension Test

The tail-suspension test is a mouse behavioral test useful in the screening of potential antidepressant drugs, and assessing of other manipulations that ...

Stereotaxic Infusion of Oligomeric Amyloid-beta into the Mouse Hippocampus

Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the aging population. A key neuropathological feature of the disease is the ...

The Fibular Nerve Injury Method: A Reliable Assay to Identify and Test Factors That Repair Neuromuscular Junctions

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) undergoes deleterious structural and functional changes as a result of aging, injury and disease. Thus, it is imperative ...

Automated Analysis of C. elegans Swim Behavior Using CeleST Software

Automated Analysis of C. elegans Swim Behavior Using CeleST Software

Dissecting the neuronal and neuromuscular circuits that regulate behavior remains a major challenge in biology. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has ...

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy: Getting the Capillary Refill Test Under One's Thumb

The capillary refill test was introduced in 1947 to help estimate circulatory status in critically ill patients. Guidelines commonly state that refill ...

A Metric Test for Assessing Spatial Working Memory in Adult Rats Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Impairments to sensory, short-term, and long-term memory are common side effects after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Due to the ethical limitations of ...

Assessment of Swim Endurance and Swim Behavior in Adult Zebrafish

Due to their renowned regenerative capacity, adult zebrafish are a premier vertebrate model to interrogate mechanisms of innate spinal cord regeneration. ...