[A biorhythmologic approach to evaluating forced swimming as an experimental model of a "depressive" state]

Rhythmical structure of forced swimming was studied on rats. Reserpine (1 mg/kg, 24 h before testing), clonidine (150 mkg/kg) and prolonged repeated striatal stimulation induced behavioural depression with reorganization of swimming rhythm and increase of short cycles (less than 6 s) of immobility. After chronic administration of antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline, niamid, 10 mg/kg/day, during 14 days), on the contrary, the number of these cycles diminished, while the number of active swimming cycles increased. Chrono-biological "index of depression" is suggested to express more exactly behavioural depression and specific activity of antidepressants than usual registration of immobility time.