[Analysis of acute and chronic effects of antidepressive agents in a learned helplessness model in mice]

In experimental learned helplessness in mice determined by preliminary inavoidable aversive exposure, activity of tricyclic antidepressants (desipramine, chlorimipramine, amitryptyline), type A MAO inhibitors (pyrazidol), and atypical (zimelidine, trazodon, befuralin) antidepressants as well as that of potential antidepressants (LIS-30, DZK-153) were determined upon chronic administration. The tricyclic compounds, befuralin and DZK-153 removed learned helplessness only after 14 days of administration. The substances with a predominant serotoninomimetic action (zimelidin, trazodon in high doses, pyrazidol, LIS-30) showed high efficacy following 6 days of administration. Single administration of the substances under study did not make it possible to disclose their specific antidepressant activity.