Cited by 1,993Stress Responses and CortisolNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorTreatment of Major Depression

Reduction of sucrose preference by chronic unpredictable mild stress, and its restoration by a tricyclic antidepressant

Willner, P., Towell, A., Sampson, D., Sophokleous, S., Muscat, R.·1987·Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Rats exposed chronically (5-9 weeks) to a variety of mild unpredictable stressors showed a reduced consumption of and preference for saccharin or sucrose solutions. Preference deficits took at least 2 weeks to develop and were maintained for more than 2 weeks after termination of the stress regime. Sucrose preference was unaffected by 1 week of treatment with the tricyclic antidepressant DMI but returned to normal after 2-4 weeks of DMI treatment. DMI did not alter sucrose preference in unstressed animals. No significant changes were seen in saline preference either during stress or following drug treatment. DMI reduced blood corticosterone and glucose levels, but stress did not significantly alter either measure. The results are discussed in terms of an animal model of endogenous depression.

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Crossref · 10.1007/bf00187257

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31 of 31 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The sucrose preference test measures the ability to feel joy by studying rats' binge on a sugary solution.

    “We were interested in evaluating the efficacy of studying the effects of this stress protocol using the sucrose preference test -a test that measures the ability to feel joy by studying how rats, when given the chance, will binge on a sugary solution 14 .”
  • CUS has a high degree of face, predictive, and construct validity as a behavioral model of depression.

    “CUS has a high degree of face, predictive, and construct validity as a behavioral model of depression (27, 28).”
  • Chronic and sequential exposure of rats or mice to a mild stress regimen causes decreases in responsiveness to rewards, including decreased consumption of and preference for sucrose solutions and decreased rewarding properties of pharmacological and natural rewards in the place preference paradigm.

    “In particular, Willner and colleagues originally reported that chronic and sequential exposure of rats or mice to a mild stress regimen caused decreases in responsiveness to rewards [190,191], commonly reported as a decrease in the consumption of and preference for sucrose solutions, and a decrease in the rewarding properties of pharmacological and natural rewards in the place preference behavior”

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Authors
Willner, P., Towell, A., Sampson, D., Sophokleous, S., & Muscat, R.
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Published
1987-11
Volume
93
Issue
3
Pages
358-64
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
OpenAlex
W2050836998
Cited by
1,993
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 52 · 2025: 85 · 2024: 85 · 2023: 86 · 2022: 101 · 2021: 113 · 2020: 107 · 2019: 113 · 2018: 108 · 2017: 109 · 2016: 94 · 2015: 110 · 2014: 123 · 2013: 90 · 2012: 66
FWCI
1.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
sucrose preference, chronic unpredictable mild stress, saccharin preference, tricyclic antidepressants, desipramine, depression model, glucose concentration
MeSH terms
Animals, Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic, Blood Glucose, Desipramine, Drinking, Eating, Food Preferences, Male, Saccharin, Stress, Physiological, Sucrose, Rats

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