Decreased intracranial self-stimulation in a new animal model of endogenous depression.
Neonatal treatment of rats with clomipramine may produce adult animals which model endogenous depression. We report here that a major factor of depression in humans, the diminished capacity for pleasure, appears present in these rats. At age 7 months, bar-press responding for rewarding hypothalamic stimulation is reduced across a range of intensities. At age 4 or 5 months this effect is not seen, although other behavioral abnormalities are present at the younger age. The delayed onset of diminished intracranial self-stimulation may relate to the gradual insidious onset of endogenous depression in humans.
Vogel
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Altanta, GA 30306.
Neill
D
D
Hagler
M
M
Kors
D
D
Hartley
P
P
D000818:Animals; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000502:physiology*