Source Paper
Altered Responsiveness to Cocaine and Increased Immobility in the Forced Swim Test Associated with Elevated cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein Expression in Nucleus Accumbens
Andrea M. Pliakas, Richard R. Carlson, Rachael L. Neve, Christine Konradi, Eric J. Nestler et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2001
Forced Swim Test
Objective: Measurement of immobility behavior in rats with altered CREB function to assess depression-like and antidepressant-like effects
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Equipment1
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Materials3
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Protocol Steps
Viral vector administration
Rats received HSV vectors to either elevate CREB expression or overexpress dominant-negative mutant CREB (mCREB) in the nucleus accumbens
Note: Two treatment groups: HSV-CREB and HSV-mCREB
View evidence from paper
“we used herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors to elevate CREB expression in this region or to overexpress a dominant-negative mutant CREB (mCREB)”
Forced Swim Test
Rats were placed in the forced swim test apparatus to measure immobility behavior as an indicator of depression-like or antidepressant-like effects
Note: Immobility was measured as the primary outcome. Elevated CREB expression increased immobility (depression-like), while mCREB decreased immobility (antidepressant-like)
View evidence from paper
“Elevated CREB expression increased immobility in the FST, an effect that is opposite to that caused by standard antidepressants”
Kappa opioid receptor antagonist administration
Nor-Binaltorphimine was administered to HSV-CREB- and HSV-mCREB-treated rats to test the contribution of dynorphin-mediated kappa receptor signaling to immobility behavior
Note: Nor-Binaltorphimine decreased immobility in both treatment groups, suggesting CREB-mediated induction of dynorphin contributes to immobility
View evidence from paper
“the κ opioid receptor antagonist nor-Binaltorphimine decreased immobility in HSV-CREB- and HSV-mCREB-treated rats”