Forced Swim Test
Objective: Measure depressive-like behavior in rodents by quantifying immobility when placed in a water-filled container
This is a Forced Swim Test protocol using rodents (mouse or rat) as the model organism. The procedure involves 2 procedural steps, 1 equipment items. Extracted from a 2015 paper published in Journal of Visualized Experiments.
Model and subjects
rodents (mouse or rat)
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Place animal in water-filled container • Observe and measure immobility
Primary readouts
- Duration of immobility
- Behavioral despair
- Depressive-like behavior
Key equipment and reagents
Verified items
0
Direct vendor links
0
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Protocol Steps
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Place animal in water-filled container
Place the rodent into a container that has been filled with water
Note: The animal will initially attempt to escape
View evidence from paper
“when placing an animal in a container filled with water, it will first make efforts to escape but eventually will exhibit immobility”
Observe and measure immobility
Observe the animal's behavior and quantify the duration of immobility, which is considered to reflect behavioral despair
Note: Immobility is the primary measure of depressive-like behavior in this assay
View evidence from paper
“eventually will exhibit immobility that may be considered to reflect a measure of behavioral despair”