Tail Suspension Test
Objective: A mouse behavioral test useful in screening potential antidepressant drugs and assessing manipulations expected to affect depression-related behaviors by quantifying escape-oriented behaviors
This is a Tail Suspension Test protocol using mouse as the model organism. The procedure involves 4 procedural steps, 2 materials. Extracted from a 2011 paper published in Journal of Visualized Experiments.
Model and subjects
mouse • C57BL/6 mentioned as example strain
Study window
Estimated timing pending
Core workflow
Prepare suspension apparatus • Suspend mouse by tail • Record escape-oriented behaviors
Primary readouts
- Escape-oriented behaviors
- Tail climbing behavior (when applicable)
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Prepare suspension apparatus
Set up apparatus to suspend mice by their tails in a position where they cannot escape or hold on to nearby surfaces
Note: For strains prone to tail climbing (e.g., C57BL/6), pass mouse tail through a small plastic cylinder before suspension
View evidence from paper
“Mice are suspended by their tails with tape, in such a position that it cannot escape or hold on to nearby surfaces”
Suspend mouse by tail
Suspend the mouse by its tail using tape, ensuring the mouse cannot escape or hold on to nearby surfaces
Note: Use plastic cylinder method for C57BL/6 and other strains with tail climbing behavior
View evidence from paper
“We prevent tail climbing behaviors by passing mouse tails through a small plastic cylinder prior to suspension”
Record escape-oriented behaviors
During the test period, quantify the resulting escape-oriented behaviors manifested by the suspended mouse
Note: Behaviors are manually scored
View evidence from paper
“During this test, typically six minutes in duration, the resulting escape oriented behaviors are quantified”
Score behaviors
Manually score the behaviors that are manifested during the tail suspension test
Note: Details on manual scoring methodology are provided in the protocol
View evidence from paper
“We also detail how to manually score the behaviors that are manifested in this test”