Source Paper
Voluntary exercise produces antidepressant and anxiolytic behavioral effects in mice
Catharine H. Duman, Lee Schlesinger, David S. Russell, Ronald S. Duman
Brain Research • 2008
BDNF Knockout Behavioral Testing
Objective: To investigate the functional role of BDNF in antidepressant-like behavioral response to exercise using heterozygous BDNF knockout mice in the forced swim test (FST)
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment3
1 item available from ConductScience
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product links help support this free resource.
Protocol Steps
Provide voluntary exercise access
Mice were given free access to running wheels
Note: Both wild-type and heterozygous BDNF knockout mice were tested
View evidence from paper
“Mice given free access to running wheels showed antidepressant-like behavior in learned helplessness, forced-swim (FST) and tail suspension paradigms”
Perform in situ hybridization analysis
Analyze BDNF mRNA expression in hippocampal subfields following wheel running
Note: Conducted to measure molecular changes associated with exercise
View evidence from paper
“In situ hybridization analysis showed that BDNF mRNA was increased in specific subfields of hippocampus after wheel running”
Conduct forced swim test (FST)
Test mice in FST paradigm after wheel-running to measure antidepressant-like behavioral response
Note: Tested both wild-type and heterozygous BDNF knockout mice
View evidence from paper
“We tested mice heterozygous for a deletion of the BDNF gene in the FST after wheel-running”
Administer MEK inhibitor
Subchronic administration of PD184161 to block MAPK signaling pathway in exercising mice
Note: Used to investigate functional contribution of BDNF signaling pathway
View evidence from paper
“Subchronic administration of PD184161 to exercising mice blocked the antidepressant-like behavioral response seen in vehicle-treated exercising mice in the FST”
Test FST performance after drug treatment
Conduct forced swim test on mice treated with PD184161 or vehicle to measure antidepressant-like response
Note: Compare responses between PD184161-treated and vehicle-treated exercising mice
View evidence from paper
“Subchronic administration of PD184161 to exercising mice blocked the antidepressant-like behavioral response seen in vehicle-treated exercising mice in the FST”