DX11
Effects of Induced Depression on the Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis: An Overlooked Disability
Depression is a common disabling symptom of MS with a lifetime prevalence of 50%.
Objectives:
The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of induced depression on cuprizone mouse model of demyelination.
Methods:
Mice were divided into cuprizone with no intervention (Cup-O), cuprizone undergoing induced depression (Cup-Dep) and control groups (9 to 10 per group). Depression was induced by repeated open-space forced swim and was implemented 6 days prior to the testing period. Multiple sclerosis was induced by continuously feeding six-week-old C57BL/6 male mice a 0.2% cuprizone-enriched diet. Spatial learning and memory were tested using Morris water maze while rotarod was used to assess motor function.
Results:
Cognitive and motor deficits were established in cuprizone mouse model of demyelination as Cup-O had worse results than control group in Morris water maze (p<0.001) and rotarod (p<0.05). Induced depression was seen to exaggerate the aforementioned deficits; Cup-Dep showed a significantly declined performance in Morris water maze (p<0.001) and rotarod (p<0.05) in comparison to Cup-O.
Conclusions:
Depression can further worsen the natural disease course of MS model. Therefore depression-ameliorating measures should be considered as a part of MS management plan based on the results of this study.