The “Learned Helplessness” Model in Rats: Possibilities and Limitations in Assessing a Depressive-Like State and Effects of Antidepressants

The “learned helplessness” (LH) model in rats is widely used a battery of tests to assess depression-like behaviour and the effects antidepressants. considered be suffi ciently valid, though having some limitations with reproducibility. This review discusses possibilities using for assessing symptoms depressive-like state pathogenesis depression, as well factors affecting reproducibility LH are described, most important which different sensitivity animals stress. Several protocols induction testing LH, by research teams, presented. Due diffi culty comparing results obtained protocols, models should standardized use individual laboratories. worth preclinical studies potential drugs exhibiting antidepressant activity.