Detection of Depression
Mice's genetic and physical characteristics make them ideal models for many human diseases and ailments, from cancer to the flu. Today, these small rodents have become such a focus of medical research that some have begun to describe them as 'test tubes with tails'.
However, studies have shown that using animals to study depression is quite difficult. Scientists can't say much about depression in mice, and nowadays they are considering abandoning an experiment that has been considered the best option for decades and is now a subject of debate.
Horrifying and Controversial
The purpose of the forced swimming experiment is clear from its name. A mouse is placed in water and forced to swim. Whether the mouse is depressed or not can be determined by how quickly it gives up. The faster it gives up, the more depressed it is.
In short, that's the idea. However, this frequently cited and utilized experiment isn't entirely consistent, which strengthens the belief among some scientists that the experiment is outdated.
Hanno Würbel, a behavioral biology researcher from the University of Bern, told Nature that he now believes scientists shouldn't be conducting experiments like this. "In my opinion, it's downright bad science," he added.
Moreover, it's a failure.
In early July, advocates of the Ethical Treatment of Animals movement wrote a letter to the US National Institute of Mental Health demanding that these experiments be stopped.
However, NIMH Director Joshua Gordon, while acknowledging the allegations, stated that they try to minimize the use of these experiments, but that they could contain very important answers to some key research questions.
For more information: Mouse swimming tests are being reviewed for research on depression.
More about depression: Stimulating this part of the brain reduces symptoms of depression!
Translator: Ayşe Ege Palaz
Editor: Ögetay Kayalı
Futurism, “Scientists are reconsidering an incredibly cruel animal experiment” < https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-reconsidering-forced-swim-test >
Originally published on Medium on October 31, 2022. English translation of “Korkunç Bir Deney Daha!”.