Mouse lines differing in sensitivity to beta-CCM differ in tasks used for testing antidepressants.
Two lines of mice, previously selected for their sensitivity (BS) or their resistance (BR) to an anxiogenic benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor inverse agonist, methyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (beta-CCM), have recently been shown to present several differences in anxiety. In the present study, attempt was made to extend their behavioral profile in two situations classically used for testing antidepressant drugs. Reassessment of locomotor performance of these new populations confirmed that the motor activity of BR mice was lower than that of BS mice. In both the forced-swimming and the tail suspension tests, the immobility time of BS mice was significantly higher than that of BR mice. In the tail suspension test, two administrations of imipramine (30 mg/kg i.p., 5 h and 30 min before testing) significantly reduced the immobility time of BS mice but not of BR mice. From these data, it appears that BS mice are more "depressed" than BR mice. Thus, these selectively bred lines may represent potentially useful animal models to investigate behavioral, neurochemical and neuroendocrine correlates of antidepressant action.
Do-Rego
Jean-Claude
JC
IFRMP 23, Unité de Neuropsychopharmacologie Expérimentale, CNRS UMR 6036, UFR de Médecine et Pharmacie, 22 Boulevard Gambetta, 76183 Rouen, France.
Suaudeau
Charles
C
Chapouthier
Georges
G
Costentin
Jean
J
D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007103:Immobilization / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002243:Carbolines; C036150:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester