Source Paper
From Struggling (With) Screening Tests to Mouse Models of Depression‐Relevant Neurobehavioral States
Pryce CR
Curr Protoc • 2026
Forced Swim Test
behavioralRats and miceNot specified
Objective: A behavioral test measuring immobility versus swimming behavior in rodents exposed to inescapable water stress, originally designed as an antidepressant screening assay
Protocol Steps
1
Initial water exposure (rats)
Place rat in cylinder of water for 15 minutes
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“comprised a 15‐min placement in a cylinder of water”
2
Inter-session interval (rats)
Wait 24 hours between initial exposure and test
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“followed 24 hr later by a 5‐min replacement”
3
Test session (rats)
Replace rat in water cylinder for 5 minutes
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“followed 24 hr later by a 5‐min replacement in the water cylinder”
4
Single session protocol (mice)
Place mouse in water for 6 minutes in single session
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“there is only one placement in water, typically for 6 min”
5
Observe behavioral transition
Record swimming/climbing at beginning transitioning to floating/immobility
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“swimming, or climbing attempts, predominate at the beginning and floating (immobility) predominates at the end”