Rodent tail suspension assay

This is an experiment used to assay mood levels in rodent. It was first published by L. Steru al et on 1985 and has become one of the most widely used models for assessing antidepressant-like activity in mice. The test is based on the fact that animals subjected to the short-term, inescapable stress of being suspended by their tail, will develop an immobile posture. Immobility is defined as the absence of initiated movements and includes passive swaying. Changes in immobility time indicate changes in mood. In our tail suspension test system, we use visial tracking system for monitoring and analysis.