Source Paper
From Struggling (With) Screening Tests to Mouse Models of Depression‐Relevant Neurobehavioral States
Pryce CR
Curr Protoc • 2026
Tail Suspension Test
Objective: Screening test for antidepressant mechanism of action (monoamine-transporter reuptake inhibition) by measuring immobility vs. active behavior
This is a Tail Suspension Test protocol using mice as the model organism. The procedure involves 3 procedural steps, 1 equipment items, 1 materials. Extracted from a 2026 paper published in Curr Protoc.
Model and subjects
mice • not specified • not specified • not specified • not specified
Study window
~6 minutes hands-on
Core workflow
Tail suspension setup • Test duration • Behavioral observation
Primary readouts
- Duration of immobility
- Duration of active movements (running movements, torsion, and jerks)
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Tail suspension setup
Suspend mouse by taping tail tip to lever
View evidence from paper
“suspending the mouse by taping the tip of its tail to a lever”
Test duration
Conduct test for 6 minutes total
View evidence from paper
“suspending the mouse by taping the tip of its tail to a lever for 6 min”
Behavioral observation
Observe initial period of active movements followed by immobile hanging
View evidence from paper
“after an initial period of running movements, torsion, and jerks, immobile hanging predominates”