A new automated and high-throughput system for analysis of the forced swim test in mice based on magnetic field changes

Neurochemical responses to antidepressants in the prefrontal cortex of mice and their efficacy in preclinical models of anxiety-like and depression-like behavior: a comparative and correlational study

“…Mice were placed in the cylinders and motion recorded for 6 min. The mice were judged to be immobile whenever they floated passively in the water using threshold values as previously described (Shimamura et al 2007). Electrical signals meeting the following criteria were classified as swimming: signals greater than 100 mV that continue for more than 0.1 s without gaps longer than 1.0 s (setting value of MicroAct, 0.1 V of threshold value, 1.0 s of event gap, 0.1 s of minimum duration).…”

Automated experimental system capturing three behavioral components during murine forced swim test

“…2) We have already accumulated FST data using the strain (Shimamura et al, 2007;Shimamura et al, 2008;Kobayashi et al, 2008). 3) It has been reported that the strain is adequate to be used for FST (Petit-Demouliere et al, 2005).…”

“…All the manual analyses were performed by one well trained observer to avoid inter-rater variability and were conducted in a single blinded manner to keep objectivity. Another manually analyzed data set by the observer was already used as the fundamental data for establishing another automated experimental system of mice FST (Shimamura et al, 2007). …”

“…Four drugs were administered 60 min before the FST at the doses of 0, 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg. These doses of the drugs were determined according to our previous studies (Shimamura et al, 2007;Shimamura et al, 2008;Kobayashi et al, 2008). Duration of immobility, swimming and climbing during 2-4 min and 2-6 min span out of 6 min FST period were analyzed by automated digital method.…”

“…In order to avoid issues of subjectivity, validity and reliability, and to increase throughput, several automated systems have been developed and applied to FST behavioral analysis in rodents. Automated FST systems reported to date are based on detection of vibration of a cylinder (Shimazoe et al, 1987), counting of interruption of photo-beams (Kurtuncu et al, 2005), electronic current change due to the movement of hind paws with small magnets (Shimamura et al, 2007) or digital video tracking (Juszczak et al, 2008;Cryns et al, 2007;Prickaerts et al, 2006;Rocha et al, 2005;Shearman et al, 2003;Sánchez & Meier, 1997).…”