Learned Helplessness
Objective: To investigate VGF neuropeptide expression changes in the hippocampus using learned helplessness as an animal model of depression, and to measure antidepressant-like behavioral effects
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Protocol Steps
Learned Helplessness Paradigm
Subjects exposed to learned helplessness paradigm to induce depression-like state
Note: VGF expression was measured as downregulated in hippocampus following this paradigm
View evidence from paper
“VGF was downregulated in the hippocampus after both the learned helplessness and forced swim test (FST) paradigms”
Forced Swim Test (FST)
Subjects exposed to forced swim test paradigm as alternative depression model
Note: Used as comparison model to learned helplessness; measures immobility time
View evidence from paper
“VGF was downregulated in the hippocampus after both the learned helplessness and forced swim test (FST) paradigms”
VGF Infusion into Hippocampus
VGF neuropeptide infused directly into hippocampus of mice subjected to FST
Note: Infusion reduced time spent immobile, demonstrating antidepressant-like effects
View evidence from paper
“VGF infusion in the hippocampus of mice subjected to FST reduced the time spent immobile for up to 6 d”
Chronic VGF Treatment and Proliferation Assessment
Chronic VGF treatment administered to measure effects on hippocampal progenitor cell proliferation
Note: Studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo
View evidence from paper
“chronic VGF treatment enhances proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo with survival up to 21 d”
Double Immunocytochemical Analysis
Double immunocytochemical analysis of hippocampal neurons to assess neuronal markers in dividing cells
Note: Conducted in vitro to demonstrate VGF increases number of dividing cells expressing neuronal markers
View evidence from paper
“By double immunocytochemical analysis of hippocampal neurons, we demonstrate that VGF increases the number of dividing cells that express neuronal markers in vitro”