When rats or mice are forced to swim in a deep cylinder with tepid water, they become nearly immobile and cease trying to escape. ​

Immobility is thought to reflect a state of “behavioral despair” and is reduced when rats and mice are treated with a wide variety of antidepressants.​

Rodent models of depression are mainly based on predictive validity, objectivity of measured response and their high reliability and reproducibility.​

Effects of SSRI and Tricyclic Antidepressants​

The forced swim test in rats can differentiate between SSRI and Tricyclic-like antidepressants by their differential effects on climbing and swimming behaviors following sub-chronic intraperitoneal injection.

Effects of Double and Triple Reuptake Inhibitors

The triple uptake inhibitor DOV21947 and the double (serotonin / norepinephrine) reuptake inhibitor, venlafaxine, decrease immobility in the rat FS test following sub-chronic intraperitoneal injection.

Sertraline Decreases Time Immobile in BALB/cJ Mice

Sertraline, a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor, decreases immobility of BALB/cJ mice in the FS test following acute intraperitoneal injection.

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