OBJECTIVE: Striatum may be involved in depressive disorders according to the neuroimaging analysis and clinical data. However, no animal model at present supported the possible role of striatum in the pathogenesis of depression. In the present study, we have investigated the depressive-like behavior in mice recently intoxicated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a widely known toxin that selectively damages the striatum in the brain. METHODS: Mouse model was made with subacute systemic 3-NP treatment, and the depressive-like behavior was measured using the duration of immobility during forced swimming test (FST). RESULTS: When the mice at day 15 post-intoxication just totally recovered from motor deficits, the duration of immobility in FST was significantly longer than that in controls. The depressive-like behavior was not due to the fatigue or general sickness following 3-NP intoxication and could be reversed by the antidepressant, desipramine hydrochloride. In two successive FST in 24 h interval, the depressive-like behavior could be observed again in subsequent FST (at day 16 post-intoxication), and the mice presented a normal "learned helplessness". CONCLUSION: A novel depression animal model could be established in mice during the initial period of recovery from 3-NP intoxication. The depression-like behavior might occur independently without involvement of cognitive defects, and the striatal lesions may underlie the depression-like behavior attributable to 3-NP intoxication.
OBJECTIVE: Striatum may be involved in depressive disorders according to the neuroimaging analysis and clinical data. However, no animal model at present supported the possible role of striatum in the pathogenesis of depression. In the present study, we have investigated the depressive-like behavior in mice recently intoxicated with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a widely known toxin that selectively damages the striatum in the brain. METHODS:Mouse model was made with subacute systemic 3-NP treatment, and the depressive-like behavior was measured using the duration of immobility during forced swimming test (FST). RESULTS: When the mice at day 15 post-intoxication just totally recovered from motor deficits, the duration of immobility in FST was significantly longer than that in controls. The depressive-like behavior was not due to the fatigue or general sickness following 3-NP intoxication and could be reversed by the antidepressant, desipramine hydrochloride. In two successive FST in 24 h interval, the depressive-like behavior could be observed again in subsequent FST (at day 16 post-intoxication), and the mice presented a normal "learned helplessness". CONCLUSION: A novel depression animal model could be established in mice during the initial period of recovery from 3-NP intoxication. The depression-like behavior might occur independently without involvement of cognitive defects, and the striatal lesions may underlie the depression-like behavior attributable to 3-NP intoxication.
Authors: Sarah A J Reading; Adam C Dziorny; Laura A Peroutka; Mathew Schreiber; Lisa M Gourley; Venu Yallapragada; Adam Rosenblatt; Russell L Margolis; James J Pekar; Godfrey D Pearlson; Elizabeth Aylward; Jason Brandt; Susan S Bassett; Christopher A Ross Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2004-06 Impact factor: 10.422
Authors: P O Fernagut; E Diguet; N Stefanova; M Biran; G K Wenning; P Canioni; B Bioulac; F Tison Journal: Neuroscience Date: 2002 Impact factor: 3.590
Authors: Acioly L T Lacerda; Mark A Nicoletti; Paolo Brambilla; Roberto B Sassi; Alan G Mallinger; Ellen Frank; David J Kupfer; Matcheri S Keshavan; Jair C Soares Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2003-11-30 Impact factor: 3.222