Source Paper
The Role of the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling Pathway in Mood Modulation
Haim Einat, Peixiong Yuan, Todd D. Gould, Jianling Li, JianHua Du et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2003
Forced-Swim Test
Objective: Assessment of depression-like behavior by measuring immobility time and swimming time in rats
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Protocol Steps
Administer test compounds
Administer SL327 (blood-brain barrier-penetrating MEK inhibitor) or U0126 (nonblood-brain barrier-penetrating MEK inhibitor) to rats
Note: SL327 is blood-brain barrier-penetrating; U0126 is not blood-brain barrier-penetrating
View evidence from paper
“Inhibiting the ERK pathway with the blood-brain barrier-penetrating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase)/ERK kinase (MEK) kinase inhibitor SL327, but not with the nonblood-brain barrier-penetrating MEK inhibitor U0126”
Conduct forced-swim test
Place rats in forced-swim test apparatus and measure immobility time and swimming time
Note: Measures depression-like behavior
View evidence from paper
“decreased immobility time and increased swimming time of rats in the forced-swim test”
Conduct open field test
Place rats in large open field and measure locomotion time and distance traveled
Note: Behavioral changes in open field were prevented with chronic lithium pretreatment
View evidence from paper
“increased locomotion time and distance traveled in a large open field. The behavioral changes in the open field were prevented with chronic lithium pretreatment”