Active coping style as a risk factor of depressive-like disorders after cronic mild stress

Abstract

Effect of chronic mild uncontrollable stress on behaviour was studied on rats with opposite behavioural coping styles--active and passive. In a population of outbred animals, specimens with opposite coping style of behaviour were selected based on their reactions in the active avoidance (AA) test. Both groups were subjected to chronic mild stress during 30 days and tested for depressive behaviour (forced swim test, 32% glucose solution consumption test), anxiety (elevated plus maze) and learning (AA test). The behavioural test showed that depressive behaviour after chronic mild stress is more common in animals with active behaviour strategy.