New animal model of depression using water maze learning situation in mice

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We have developed a new animal model of depression by modifying the Morris water maze learning situation in mice. It is generally believed that mice placed in a pool filled with opaque water will learn to escape onto a platform hidden below the water surface. However, if the difficulty of the task is increased, some of the mice gradually cease to swim and become immobile ; this response indicates a depressive state. In this research, the validity of our experimental method as a depression model was verified by demonstrating the phenotypic differences between "nonhelpless" mice(designated"Winner") and "helpless"mice(designated"Loser"). Compared with nonhelpless mice, helpless mice showed lower spontaneous locomotor activity in their home cage. In addition, helpless mice exhibited impaired neurogenesis in the hippocampus and increased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α.