Porsolt Forced Swim Test

In the forced swim test, an animal is placed into a small container of room-temperature water from which escape is impossible. After a period of struggling and swimming, the animal becomes immobile, moving its limbs only when it needs to rebalance itself or to stay afloat. This immobility has been interpreted to reflect a state of "behavioural despair" in the animal, which occurs when the animal learns that escape is impossible. Within this interpretation, immobility is thought to reflect a depressive-like behaviour. However, it is equally possible that immobility is an adaptive response; one that allows the animal to conserve its energy. Thus, it is debatable whether the forced swim test can be considered to be a test of depression. The true value of this test is as a screening tool for antidepressant activity: Most of the currently available antidepressants reduce immobility.

Social Interaction Test

The neurophenotyping centre also performs social interaction tests.