A NEW MODEL OF EXPERIMENTAL DEPRESSION-LI KE SYNDROME INDUCED BY SYSTEMIC 1-METHYL-4-PHENIL-1,2,3,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIDINE (MPTP) ADMINISTRATION IN RATS

Dynamics of appearance and maintenance of emotional-behavioural disord ers in male Wistar rats was studied on and after repeated neurotoxin M PTP injection at a dose of 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally daily for 18 day s MPTP caused supression of locomotion and rearing in open field test, decrease of daily liquid consumption and lowering of preference for t he sucrose over water, increase of immobility time and depression inde x simultaneously with disadaptation in forced swimming test. Behaviour al alterations were maintained for not less than a week after abolutio n of MPTP injection. Data improved the appearance and development of t he state of decreased motivation simultaneously with anhedonia and beh avioural despair in rats in response to MPTP injection. The state can be considered as a new model of DA-depended depression-like syndrome i n rats.