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Updated: May 25, 2026

The Mouse Forced Swim Test

The Mouse Forced Swim Test

Published on: January 29, 2012

The mouse forced swim test.

Adem Can¹, David T Dao, Michal Arad

¹Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove

|February 9, 2012

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The forced swim test evaluates antidepressant drugs by measuring mouse immobility in water. This guide details the protocol to ensure reliable results and minimize stress for accurate depression-like state assessment.

Area of Science:

Behavioral Neuroscience
Pharmacology

Background:

The forced swim test (FST) is a widely used behavioral assay in rodents.
It is employed to screen antidepressant drugs and investigate the neurobiology of depression-like states.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide a detailed protocol for conducting the mouse version of the forced swim test.
To highlight potential pitfalls and offer solutions for accurate interpretation of results.

Main Methods:

Mice are placed in a tank of water, and their immobility behavior is recorded.
Emphasis is placed on procedural details to ensure reliability and minimize stress.

Main Results:

The FST reliably measures immobility, a behavioral indicator of depressive-like states.

More Related Videos

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimization for Mouse Strain and Testing Environment

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimization for Mouse Strain and Testing Environment

Published on: June 22, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

The Mouse Forced Swim Test

The Mouse Forced Swim Test

Published on: January 29, 2012

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimization for Mouse Strain and Testing Environment

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimization for Mouse Strain and Testing Environment

Published on: June 22, 2015

Adherence to protocol minimizes confounding variables and enhances data interpretability.

Conclusions:

Standardized execution of the FST is crucial for valid assessment of antidepressant efficacy.
This protocol aims to improve the reproducibility and accuracy of FST studies.