Comparison of the Depression-Like Behavior and Serotonergic System between Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto Rat Strains

摘要

The present study conducted the behavioral and neurochemical comparisons of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT) neuron between Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strains, to determine whether WKY can be characterized in an animal model for a certain type of depression as previously suggested (De La Garza and Mahoney, 2004). Furthermore, the effects of the repeated administration of escitalopram (ESCIT, 5 mg/kg/day s.c. for 14 days) on the depression-like behavior and on the 5-HT neurotransmission in WKY were assessed.