Chronic Social Defeat Stress
Objective: To assess the effects of chronic social defeat stress on ghrelin levels and depressive-like symptoms in a rodent model of depression
This is a Chronic Social Defeat Stress protocol using mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 6 procedural steps, 2 equipment items. Extracted from a 2008 paper published in Nature Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
mouse • Not explicitly stated in provided text • unknown • Not explicitly stated in provided text • Not explicitly stated in provided text
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Chronic Social Defeat Stress Induction • Ghrelin Level Manipulation via Subcutaneous Injection • Ghrelin Level Manipulation via Calorie Restriction
Primary readouts
- Ghrelin levels (measured as persistently increased following chronic social defeat stress)
- Anxiolytic-like responses in elevated plus maze
- Antidepressant-like responses in forced swim test
- Depressive-like symptoms following chronic defeat stress
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Chronic Social Defeat Stress Induction
Mice were subjected to chronic social defeat stress, a rodent model of depression
Note: This procedure persistently increased ghrelin levels in mice
View evidence from paper
“chronic social defeat stress, a rodent model of depression, persistently increased ghrelin levels”
Ghrelin Level Manipulation via Subcutaneous Injection
Ghrelin was administered through subcutaneous injections to increase ghrelin levels
Note: This treatment produced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like responses
View evidence from paper
“increasing ghrelin levels, through subcutaneous injections or calorie restriction, produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses”
Ghrelin Level Manipulation via Calorie Restriction
Calorie restriction was used as an alternative method to increase ghrelin levels
Note: This treatment produced anxiolytic and antidepressant-like responses
View evidence from paper
“increasing ghrelin levels, through subcutaneous injections or calorie restriction, produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses”
Elevated Plus Maze Testing
Mice were tested in the elevated plus maze to measure anxiolytic responses
Note: Used to assess anxiety-like behavior following ghrelin manipulation or chronic defeat stress
View evidence from paper
“produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses in the elevated plus maze and forced swim test”
Forced Swim Test
Mice were tested in the forced swim test to measure antidepressant-like responses and depressive symptoms
Note: Used to assess depressive-like behavior following ghrelin manipulation or chronic defeat stress
View evidence from paper
“produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses in the elevated plus maze and forced swim test”
Testing Ghsr Null Mice
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (Ghsr) null mice were subjected to chronic defeat stress to assess their response compared to wild-type mice
Note: Ghsr null mice showed increased deleterious effects of chronic defeat compared to controls
View evidence from paper
“growth hormone secretagogue receptor (Ghsr) null mice showed increased deleterious effects of chronic defeat”