Abstract

The present study examined the efficacy of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as a treatment for chronic social stress-induced depressive-like behavior using the mouse forced swim test (FST). Mice were randomly assigned to either a non-stressed control group or one of two groups that received 5 weeks of sensory contact (SC) stress and either 0 % or 1 % EPA in their diet. A FST was conducted at the end of the stressing period for the stressed groups, and the non-stressed group was tested after 10 days of individual housing. I hypothesized that 1) the stressed control group would have greater total immobility and shorter latency to immobility in the FST compared to the non-stressed control group, and 2) that the EPA group would exhibit significantly less immobility and longer latency to immobility compared to the stressed control group. The results supported the first but not the second hypothesis, suggesting that SC stress does induce depressive-like behavior in the mouse FST, and that EPA does not possess antidepressant-like properties.

Advisor

Stavnezer, Amy Jo

Department

Psychology

Publication Date

2007

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2007 Salim Elie Abboud