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Forced swimming test in mice: a review of antidepressant activity

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Abstract

Rationale

Among all animal models, the forced swimming test (FST) remains one of the most used tools for screening antidepressants.

Objective

This paper reviews some of the main aspects of the FST in mice. Most of the sensitivity and variability factors that were assessed on the FST are summarized.

Mechanisms

We have summarized data found in the literature of antidepressant effects on the FST in mice. From this data set, we have extrapolated information on baseline levels of strain, and sensitivity against antidepressants.

Results

We have shown that many parameters have to be considered in this test to gain good reliability. Moreover, there was a fundamental inter-strain difference of response in the FST.

Conclusions

The FST is a good screening tool with good reliability and predictive validity. Strain is one of the most important parameters to consider. Swiss and NMRI mice can be used to discriminate the mechanisms of action of drugs. CD-1 seems to be the most useful strain for screening purposes, but this needs to be confirmed with some spontaneous locomotor activity studies.

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Abbreviations

5-HT:

Serotonin

8-OH-DPAT:

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin

Atypical:

Antidepressants with an atypical activity

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

DRI:

Dopamine re-uptake inhibitors

FST:

Forced swimming test

MAO-I:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

NA:

Noradrenaline

NOS synthase:

Nitric oxide synthase

NRI:

Noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors

SNRI:

Serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors

SSRI:

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors

TCAs:

Tricyclic agents

TST:

Tail suspension test

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  1. EA 3256 “Neurobiologie de l’anxiété et de la dépression”, Faculté de Médecine, BP 53508, 1 rue Gaston Veil, F44035, Nantes Cedex 01, France

    Benoit Petit-Demouliere, Franck Chenu & Michel Bourin

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  1. Benoit Petit-Demouliere
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  2. Franck Chenu
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Correspondence to Michel Bourin.

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Petit-Demouliere, B., Chenu, F. & Bourin, M. Forced swimming test in mice: a review of antidepressant activity. Psychopharmacology 177, 245–255 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-004-2048-7

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