Forced Swim in Mice and Rats
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                                This is a test of learned helplessness and measures immobility, climbing and swimming behaviors. When rats or mice are forced to swim in a deep cylinder with tepid water they become nearly immobile and cease trying to escape. This characteristic immobile posture is thought to reflect a depressive-like state and is readily influenced by a wide variety of antidepressants. In rats, this can pick up differences in the effects of SSRIs vs Tricyclic antidepressants.

                                Tricyclics (Desipramine) show decreased immobility and increased climbing, while SSRI's (Fluoxetine) show decreased immobility and increased swimming in the rat forced swim test.
                                Reduced immobility and increased climbing are observed with the SNRI (Venlafaxine) in the rat forced swim test.
                                The effect of triple reuptake inhibitors, Desipramine and DOV 21947 as observed in the rat forced swim test.
                                Significantly more climbing observed with desipramine and significantly more swimming observed with buproprion in the rat forced swim test.
                                DBA mice are the most responsive to Sertraline in the mouse forced swim test..