Transgenic mice as a tool for depression research [Elektronische Ressource] : examples from the endocannabinoid and the corticotropin releasing hormone system / Michel-Alexander Steiner

Transgenic mice as a tool for depression research: examples from the endocannabinoid and the corticotropin-releasing hormone system Dissertation zur Erlangung des Grades “Doktor der Naturwissenschaften“ im Promotionsfach Biochemie am Fachbereich Chemie, Pharmazie und Geowissenschaften der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz Michel-Alexander Steiner geboren am 10.11.1976 in Wiesbaden Mainz, Oktober 2007 (Akakus, Libya, 2006) „Nur wer den Weg verliert, lernt ihn kennen.” (Afrikanisches Sprichwort) Table of contents Table of contents I Table of illustrations IV Summary IX Zusammenfassung X List of abbreviations XII CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL INTRODUCTION – THEORIES FOR AND ANIMAL MODELS OF DEPRESSION 1 1.1 The invention of genetically engineered mice 1 1.2 Pathophysiology of depression 2 1.3 Tests of depression- and anxiety-related behavior in rodents 3 1.3.1 Animal tests and models of depression 5 1.3.1.1 The Forced Swim Test (FST) 5 1.3.1.2 The Tail Suspension Test (TST) 7 1.3.1.3 Learned Helplessness 8 1.3.1.4 Chronic Mild Stress 8 1.3.1.5 Chronic Social Defeat 8 1.3.2 Animal tests of anxiety 9 1.4 The three major theories for the development of depression 10 1.4.1 The monoamine theory of depression 10 1.4.2 The neurotrophin theory of depression 11 1.4.3 The HPA axis theory of depression 13 1.5 Future directions of depression research 14 1.