Source Paper
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Produces Antidepressant Effects in Behavioral Models of Depression
Yukihiko Shirayama, Andrew C.-H. Chen, Shin Nakagawa, David S. Russell, Ronald S. Duman
Journal of Neuroscience • 2002
Learned Helplessness Test
Objective: To test the hypothesis that BDNF in the hippocampus produces an antidepressant effect in behavioral models of depression, specifically the learned helplessness (LH) and forced swim test (FST) paradigms
This is a Learned Helplessness Test protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 5 procedural steps, 2 equipment items, 3 materials. Extracted from a 2002 paper published in Journal of Neuroscience.
Model and subjects
rat • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
~1.4 week study window
Core workflow
Bilateral BDNF infusion into dentate gyrus • Learned Helplessness Test assessment • Forced Swim Test assessment
Primary readouts
- Antidepressant effect in learned helplessness test
- Antidepressant effect in forced swim test
- Locomotor activity
- Passive avoidance performance
Key equipment and reagents
Use this page as an execution guide, then fall back to the source paper whenever you need exact exclusions, dosing details, or assay-specific caveats.
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- Verify the animal model, intervention setup, and collection timepoints against the source paper.
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- Jump to Experimental Context for readouts, data shape, and analysis flow before planning downstream analysis.
Protocol Steps
Start here. The step list is optimized for running the experiment, with direct vendor links available inline when you need to source a cited item.
Bilateral BDNF infusion into dentate gyrus
Perform a single bilateral infusion of BDNF into the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus
Note: This is a surgical procedure requiring stereotaxic injection
View evidence from paper
“A single bilateral infusion of BDNF into the dentate gyrus of hippocampus produced an antidepressant effect”
Learned Helplessness Test assessment
Conduct learned helplessness test to measure antidepressant effects
Note: Testing performed at 3 days and 10 days post-infusion
View evidence from paper
“These effects were observed as early as 3 d after a single infusion of BDNF and lasted for at least 10 d”
Forced Swim Test assessment
Conduct forced swim test to measure antidepressant effects
Note: Testing performed at 3 days and 10 days post-infusion
View evidence from paper
“These effects were observed as early as 3 d after a single infusion of BDNF and lasted for at least 10 d”
Locomotor activity assessment
Measure locomotor activity to ensure BDNF infusion does not affect general motor function
Note: Control measure to verify specificity of antidepressant effects
View evidence from paper
“Infusions of BDNF and NT-3 did not influence locomotor activity or passive avoidance”
Passive avoidance assessment
Measure passive avoidance to ensure BDNF infusion does not affect learning and memory
Note: Control measure to verify specificity of antidepressant effects
View evidence from paper
“Infusions of BDNF and NT-3 did not influence locomotor activity or passive avoidance”