[A new model of an experimental depressive syndrome in rats induced by the systemic administration to the animals of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine].

Dynamics of appearance and maintenance of emotional-behavioural disorders in male Wistar rats was studied on and after repeated neurotoxin MPTP injection at a dose of 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally daily for 18 days MPTP caused suppression of locomotion and rearing in open field test, decrease of daily liquid consumption and lowering of preference for the sucrose over water, increase of immobility time and depression index simultaneously with disadaptation in forced swimming test. Behavioural alterations were maintained for not less than a week after abolition of MPTP injection. Data improved the appearance and development of the state of decreased motivation simultaneously with anhedonia and behavioural despair in rats in response to MPTP injection. The state can be considered as a new model of DA-depended depression-like syndrome in rats.