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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model CDM

Published on: September 23, 2021

Computational modeling reveals cognitive processes in simple rodent depression tests.

Zhihan Li¹, Tianyu Lu¹, Jiaozhao Yan²

¹Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Haidian, Beijing 100039, China.

Cell Reports Methods

|December 3, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

New SwimStruggleTracker (SST) reveals rodent depression tests involve learning and decision-making, not just immobility. Cognitive processes differ between forced swim and tail suspension tests, challenging their interchangeable use.

Keywords:

CP: computational biology CP: neuroscience automated behavioral analysis cognitive processes computational modeling computational psychiatry decision-making depression-like behaviors forced swim tests learned helplessness reinforcement learning models tail suspension tests

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Behavioral Science
Computational Psychiatry

Background:

The forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) are standard rodent models for assessing depression-like behaviors, typically by measuring immobility.
Current analyses often oversimplify complex behaviors, potentially obscuring the cognitive underpinnings and biases associated with immobility.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel method, the SwimStruggleTracker (SST), for detailed behavioral analysis in rodent depression models.
To apply computational modeling to understand the cognitive processes driving behavior in the FST and TST.

Main Methods:

Development of the SwimStruggleTracker (SST) for high-resolution behavioral trajectory extraction.
Integration of computational modeling, specifically reinforcement learning principles, to analyze rodent behavior in FST and TST.
Regression analyses to differentiate behavioral phases and influencing factors.

Main Results:

Rodent behavior in FST and TST aligns with reinforcement learning, involving learning, consequence perception, and decision-making.
Distinct cognitive processes were identified for FST and TST, indicating they are not interchangeable.
Behavioral phases were characterized: early stages driven by learning, later stages by consequence sensitivity.

Conclusions:

Traditional immobility measures in FST/TST may underestimate the role of learning and cognitive processes.
The SST and computational modeling offer a more nuanced understanding of depression-like behaviors in rodents.
Findings challenge the direct cross-validation of FST and TST due to differing cognitive underpinnings.