Psychiatric diseases

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Porsolt offers models in all areas of psychopharmacology, epilepsy, sleep-wake, and neurodegenerative disorders. We are uniquely placed to offer a full range of CNS efficacy and safety pharmacology assessments, from basic models and regulatory tests, through the evaluation of abuse and dependence liability and proconvulsant risk using EEG.

Psychiatric diseases

ANXIETY

ASSAYS PREDICTIVE OF ANXIOLYTIC EFFICACY
EFFECTS
TESTS
  • Punishment-induced conflict
 Vogel conflict / 4 Plates test
  • Anticipatory anxiety
Stress-induced hyperthermia /Fear Potentiated Startle (FPS)
  • Natural aversion
Elevated plus maze /Light-dark box /Marble burying /Emotional hypophagia /Fear Potentiated Startle (FPS)

DEPRESSION

SCREENING
EFFECTS

TESTS
  • Mixed anxiolytic / antidepressant-like activity

Mouse Marble Burying
  • Antidepressant-like activity
 Reduction of “behavioral despair“ / Forced swim (Porsolt) test
ADVANCED/ EFFICACY
EFFECTS TESTS
  • Tolerance / rate of onset
 Open Space Swim Test (OSST)
  • Treatment-resistant depression and mixed anxiety/depressive-like state
 Chronic corticosterone model in collaboration with preferred partner
Chronic Mild Stress (CMS)
  • Additional effect (impulsive behavior)
 Differential Reinforcement of Low rate (DRL30)

PSYCHOSIS

POSITIVE SYMPTOMS > Hyperactivity induced by Amphetamine, Apomorphine, MK-801, PCP
> Amphetamine-induced stereotypies
> Apomorphine-induced climbing

SENSORY FILTERING

PRE-ATTENTIONAL PROCESSES

> Disruption of pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) by apomorphine, MK-801 or PCP (in development)
COGNITIVE DEFICITS

> Deficits induced by MK-801 or PCP:

   Morris water maze
   Social recognition
   Passive avoidance
   Delayed alternation
   Operant reversal
NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS

> Social interaction deficits - acute MK-801, in development
SIDE EFFECT LIABILITY

> Induction of catalepsy

> Effects on glucose metabolism

   OGTT
   IVGTT
   Weight gain