An Updated Bio-Behavioral Profile of the Flinders Sensitive Line Rat: Reviewing the Findings of the Past Decade.

The Flinders sensitive line (FSL) rat is an accepted rodent model for depression that presents with strong face, construct, and predictive validity, thereby making it suitable to investigate novel antidepressant mechanisms. Despite the translatability of this model, available literature on this model has not been reviewed for more than ten years. The PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant articles between 2013 and 2024, with keywords relating to the Flinders line rat, and all findings relevant to treatment naïve animals, included.

Passively administered fluoxetine reaches the juvenile brain of FSL rats and reduces antioxidant defences, without altering serotonin turnover.

Background: Fluoxetine is present in breast milk, yet it is unclear to what extent it, or its active metabolite, norfluoxetine, reaches the brain of the infant and what the effects of such exposure on neurobiological processes are. We therefore aimed to quantify the concentration of passively administered fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in the whole brains of exposed Flinders sensitive line (FSL) offspring and establish their influence on serotonergic function and redox status.

Methods: Adult FSL dams received fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/day), or placebo for fourteen days, beginning on postpartum day 04.

Ndufs4 KO mice: A model to study comorbid mood disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

The Ndufs4 knockout (KO) mouse is a validated and robust preclinical model of mitochondrial diseases (specifically Leigh syndrome), that displays a narrow window of relative phenotypical normality, despite its inherent mitochondrial complex I dysfunction and severe phenotype. Preclinical observations related to psychiatric comorbidities that arise in patients with mitochondrial diseases and indeed in Leigh syndrome are, however, yet to be investigated in this model. Strengthening this narrative is the fact that major depression and bipolar disorder are known to present with deficits in mitochondrial function.

Running from depression: the antidepressant-like potential of prenatal and pre-pubertal exercise in adolescent FSL rats exposed to an early-life stressor.

Objective: We aimed to answer the questions of whether early-life (perinatal and/or juvenile) exercise can induce antidepressant-like effects in a validated rodent model of depression, and whether such early-life intervention could prevent or reverse the adverse effects of early-life stress in their offspring.

Methods: Male and female Flinders sensitive line rats born to a dam that exercised during gestation, or not, were either maternally separated between PND02 and 16 and weaned on PND17 or not. Half of these animals then underwent a fourteen-day low-intensity exercise regimen from PND22.

Genetically predisposed and resilient animal models of depression reveal divergent responses to early-life adversity.

Objective: Early-life adversity (ELA) is one of the strongest predictors of childhood depression that may be exacerbated by a genetic predisposition to develop depression. We therefore investigated the bio-behavioural effects of an early-life stressor in an accepted rodent model of depression.

Methods: The Flinders sensitive line (FSL) and resistant line (FRL) rats were subjected to an early-life stressor, whereafter their bio-behavioural response during pubertal onset was evaluated.

Prescribing patterns of echinocandins in adult patients in a private hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.

Background: Worldwide, the leading cause of invasive candidiasis and the fourth leading cause of hospital-acquired infections are the Candida species (spp.) group. One of the most important tools in fighting such drug-resistant fungi is the appropriate use of antifungal agents.

Increased depressive-like behaviour of postpartum Flinders sensitive and resistant line rats is reversed by a predictable postpartum stressor.

During the peripartum period, women are at an increased risk to develop perinatal distress, presenting as symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Yet, due to practical and ethical restrictions, our understanding of this condition remains limited. Animal studies that focus on the neuropsychiatric mechanisms associated with the postpartum period, often ignore the genetical predisposition factor.

Reviewing the mitochondrial dysfunction paradigm in rodent models as platforms for neuropsychiatric disease research.

Neuropsychiatric disorders have complex pathophysiological constructs, requiring translational models to improve our understanding thereof. Mitochondrial dysfunction, generally associated with neurodegenerative disorders, is gaining interest as a key factor in the etiology of psychiatric conditions because of the often comorbid psychiatric symptoms observed. Although translational models of psychiatric disorders, support mitochondrial involvement, these models do not have a dysfunctional bio-energetic system as primary construct.

An acute dose-ranging evaluation of the antidepressant properties of Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin®) versus escitalopram in the Flinders Sensitive Line rat.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E.

Stereotypy and spontaneous alternation in deer mice and its response to anti-adenosinergic intervention.

Repetitive behavioral phenotypes are a trait of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Such behaviors are typified by complex interactions between cognitive and neurobiological processes which most likely contribute to the suboptimal treatment responses often observed. To this end, exploration of the adenosinergic system may be useful, since adenosine-receptor modulation has previously shown promise to restore control over voluntary behavior and improve cognition in patients presenting with motor repetition.

The neuropsychiatric manifestations of COVID-19: Interactions with psychiatric illness and pharmacological treatment.

The recent outbreak of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) has had major global impact. The relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection and psychiatric diseases is of great concern, with an evident link between corona virus infections and various central and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Unmitigated neuro-inflammation has been noted to underlie not only the severe respiratory complications of the disease but is also present in a range of neuro-psychiatric illnesses.

Pre-pubertal, low-intensity exercise does not require concomitant venlafaxine to induce robust, late-life antidepressant effects in Flinders sensitive line rats.

A significant number of adolescents are considered insufficiently active. This is of concern considering the negative association between physical activity and major depressive disorder (MDD). There is a lack of approved pharmacological treatment options in this population partly due to limited information on the risks associated with lasting effects during early life.