--- title: Can researchers create an animal model that shows depression linked to the menstrual cycle? description: Researchers created a rat model showing depression-like behavior during the non-receptive phase of the cycle (like the luteal phase in women) and reverse it w url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-forced-swim-based-rat-model-of-premenstrual-depression-effects-of-hormonal-2020/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can researchers create an animal model that shows depression linked to the menstrual cycle? Lab study, 2020 # Can researchers create an animal model that shows depression linked to the menstrual cycle? Researchers created a rat model showing depression-like behavior during the non-receptive phase of the cycle (like the luteal phase in women) and reverse it with fluoxetine, suggesting hormonal changes cause premenstrual depression. Early or limited evidence Female rats with regular menstrual cycles ## What they did Researchers created a rat model using a swimming test. Rats with normal menstrual cycles were tested for depression-like behavior in different cycle phases. Some rats had their ovaries removed to test whether hormones cause the depression-like symptoms. These rats were then given hormones and tested again. Some model rats received fluoxetine, an antidepressant. ## What they found Depression-like behavior occurred in the non-receptive phase of the cycle (similar to the luteal phase) and disappeared in the receptive phase. When ovaries were removed, depression symptoms disappeared. When hormones were given back, depression symptoms returned. Fluoxetine reversed depression-like symptoms in model rats with normal cycles. Rats showed changes in estrogen, progesterone, and brain chemicals including allopregnanolone, serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA. Changes in GABA A receptor 4 alpha subunit expression also occurred. Fluoxetine returned all these chemicals and receptors to normal levels. ## What it means for you This animal model shows that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle cause depression-like behavior and that antidepressants can reverse it by normalizing brain chemistry. However, this was animal research, not a study of real women. ## About the study Original title A forced swim-based rat model of premenstrual depression: effects of hormonal changes and drug intervention Authors Wei S, Geng X, Li Z et al. Journal Aging Year 2020 Study design Lab study What was tested Fluoxetine (antidepressant) and hormone priming Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.18632/aging.202249](https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.202249) Original abstract Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), is a severe health disturbance that affects a patient's emotions; it is caused by periodic psychological symptoms, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. As depression-like symptoms are found in a majority of clinical cases, a reliable animal model of premenstrual depression is indispensable to understand the pathogenesis. Herein, we describe a novel rat model of premenstrual depression, based on the forced swimming test, with a regular estrous cycle. The results showed that in the estrous cycle, the depression-like behavior of rats occurred in the non-receptive phase and disappeared in the receptive phase. Following ovariectomy, the depression-like symptoms disappeared and returned after a hormone priming regimen. Moreover, fluoxetine, an anti-depressant, could reverse the behavioral symptoms in these model rats with normal estrous cycle. Further, the model rats showed significant changes in the serum levels of estrogen and progesterone, hippocampal levels of allopregnanolone, 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and in the expression of GABA A receptor 4α subunit, all of which were reversed to physiological levels by fluoxetine. Overall, we established a reliable and standardized rat model of premenstrual depression, which may facilitate the elucidation of PMS/PMDD pathogenesis and development of related therapies. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[SSRIs and antidepressants](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-ssri/)[GnRH agonists and ovarian suppression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-gnrh/)[Neurosteroids (allopregnanolone)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-neurosteroids/)[Surgical menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-surgery/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2012 What causes PMS and PMDD? Review, 2018 What are the most effective treatments for premenstrual syndrome and PMDD? Review, 2004 What is PMDD and how is it treated? Review, 2004 How should doctors diagnose and treat PMS and PMDD? Review, 2002 What treatments work best for PMS and PMDD? Randomised trial, 1997 What is the difference between PMS and PMDD, and how should they be treated? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗