Cited by 904Treatment of Major DepressionNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorTryptophan and brain disorders

Using the rat forced swim test to assess antidepressant-like activity in rodents

Slattery, David A, Cryan, John F·2012·Nature Protocols

Abstract

The forced swim test (FST) is one of the most commonly used animal models for assessing antidepressant-like behavior. This protocol details using the FST in rats, which takes place over 48 h and is followed by the video analysis of the behavior. The swim test involves the scoring of active (swimming and climbing) or passive (immobility) behavior when rodents are forced to swim in a cylinder from which there is no escape. There are two versions that are used, namely the traditional and modified FSTs, which differ in their experimental setup. For both versions, a pretest of 15 min (although a number of laboratories have used a 10-min pretest with success) is included, as this accentuates the different behaviors in the 5-min swim test following drug treatment. Reduction in passive behavior is interpreted as an antidepressant-like effect of the manipulation, provided it does not increase general locomotor activity, which could provide a false positive result in the FST.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nprot.2012.044

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  • The forced swim test is a preclinical assay for antidepressant potential with high predictive validity.

    “The forced swim test is a preclinical assay for antidepressant potential with high predictive validity (176, 177)”

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Authors
Slattery, D. A., & Cryan, J. F.
Affiliations
  • University of Regensburg (DE)
  • University College Cork (IE)
Corresponding author
Slattery, David A
Venue
Nature Protocols
Published
2012-05-03
Volume
7
Issue
6
Pages
1009-1014
ISSN
  • 1750-2799 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-2189
OpenAlex
W2013598219
Cited by
903
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 50 · 2025: 72 · 2024: 81 · 2023: 86 · 2022: 75 · 2021: 85 · 2020: 91 · 2019: 72 · 2018: 70 · 2017: 61 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 57 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 3
FWCI
26.35
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Protocols (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
forced swim test, antidepressant-like effects, animal models of depression, immobility, locomotor activity, false positives
MeSH terms
Animals, Antidepressive Agents, Behavior, Animal, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Rodentia, Swimming, Rats

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