Study of Behavioral Disorders in Laboratory Animals Using a Model of Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress.

Using the developed model of unpredictable mild chronic stress in rats, the time to the development of an anxious condition without severe depressive disorders were determined. A combination of stressors to achieve this condition is proposed: individual housing, food and water deprivation, forced swimming in cold (4°C) water, keeping on wet bedding and without bedding, under bright lighting, and at 45°C, light/dark cycle alterations, and 45° cage tilting. The condition of the animals was analyzed by changes in body weight, fructose consumption, coat state, as well as by the parameters of open field and forced swimming tests and nest building. These methods can be used in the study and search for new drugs for the treatment and prevention of anxiety- and depression-like conditions.