Using the FST to Correlate Depressive-Like Behavior and Estrogen Levels in Three Strains of Mice Kunwal Nasrullah Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons D. Toran-Allerand M.D., Sc.D. Imam Nethrapalli, PhD This presentation will probably involve audience discussion, which will create action items. Use PowerPoint to keep track of these action items during your presentation In Slide Show, click on the right mouse button Select “Meeting Minder” Select the “Action Items” tab Type in action items as they come up Click OK to dismiss this box This will automatically create an Action Item slide at the end of your presentation with your points entered.

Key Terms Depression- “symptoms meeting established clinical threshold criteria for depression as measured by validated questionnaires or standardized psychiatric interviews”¹ vs. depressive-like behavior Forced Swimming Test (FST)-a behavior test that serves as a rodent model for depressive-like symptoms in humans. Estrogens- 17β-estradiol vs. 17α-estradiol Mice strains: BALB/c, 129/SvEv, and c57BL/6J Intact vs. Ovariectomized (OVX) vs. Adrenalectomized (ADRX)

What I do … I am a double-blind scorer of mice FST conducted by my co-mentor, Imam Nethrapalli. Our ongoing project is to test the hypothesis that 17α-estradiol is produced locally in the brain and that it has antidepressant activities in mice.

What I see … Computer Image of FST

Things that I look for … During an FST scoring, three actions can be observed: swimming climbing/scratching along the sides of the container floating/immobility: no active movement HINT: The surface of the water is a good indicator of movement or immobility.

Possible Results My results can help to validate previous findings of my mentor. It is also possible that my results will negate the findings of my mentor. In either case, it is necessary to certify the antidepressant effects of 17 α -estradiol in mice. These results will be used in a paper.

Future Plans I will continue to score the FST relevant to the study and learn lab techniques related to these behavior studies. We will add results of an Open Field Test (a 3-by-3 feet square made of melamine which allows researchers to gauge the anxiety of mice and rats) to the results of the FST to support the lab’s work. Open Field Test

References (2007). Bioserve: solutions for your science. Retrieved August 2, 2007 from (2006). Cheshire wildlife trust. Retrieved August 2, 2007 from ¹ Frasure-Smith N, Lesperance F, Talajic M, et al. Depression following myocardial infarction. Impact on 6- month survival. JAMA. 1993;270:1819–25. Porsolt et al., 1978 R.D. Porsolt, G. Anton, N. Blavet and M. Jalfre, Behavioural despair in rats: a new model sensitive to antidepressant treatments, European Journal of Pharmacology. 47 (1978), pp. 379–391. Toran-Allerand CD, Tinnikov AA, Singh RJ, Nethrapalli IS alpha-estradiol: a brain-active estrogen? Endocrinology, 146:3843–3850. van Meer, P., & Raber, J. (2005). Mouse behavioral analysis in systems biology. Biochemical journal, 389. Retrieved August 1, 2007, from Villalba, Shannon. (2005). The behavior core. Retrieved August 1, 2007 from

Acknowledgments Dr. Sat HCS HCS staff Dr. Toran-Allerand Dr. Imam Nethrapalli Caitlin Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons MSKCC And you!