Mouse Forced Swim Test
Objective: Evaluation of antidepressant drugs, antidepressant efficacy of new compounds, and experimental manipulations aimed at rendering or preventing depressive-like states by measuring escape-related mobility behavior in mice
This is a Mouse Forced Swim Test protocol using mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 2 procedural steps, 1 equipment items. Extracted from a 2011 paper published in Journal of Visualized Experiments.
Model and subjects
mouse
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Place mice in water-filled transparent tank • Measure escape-related mobility behavior
Primary readouts
- Escape-related mobility behavior
- Depressive-like states
Key equipment and reagents
Verified items
0
Direct vendor links
0
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Protocol Steps
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Place mice in water-filled transparent tank
Mice are placed in an inescapable transparent tank that is filled with water
Note: The tank is transparent and filled with water. Emphasis should be placed on minimizing unwarranted stress to the mice and adherence to procedural details.
View evidence from paper
“Mice are placed in an inescapable transparent tank that is filled with water and their escape related mobility behavior is measured.”
Measure escape-related mobility behavior
Escape-related mobility behavior is measured during the forced swim test
Note: Behaviors manifested in the test are assessed. Successful implementation requires adherence to certain procedural details and minimization of unwarranted stress.
View evidence from paper
“their escape related mobility behavior is measured. The forced swim test is straightforward to conduct reliably and it requires minimal specialized equipment.”