Antidepressants reduced rodent swim-test immobility, but research bias inflated the estimates
In mouse and rat experiments, antidepressants generally reduced time spent immobile in a forced swim test. Publication bias and incomplete reporting weakened confidence in the estimated effects.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found that antidepressants reduced immobility in the forced swim test, with more consistent findings in mice than rats. However, publication bias and effects associated with small studies inflated the pooled estimates. This is evidence about an animal-test behavior, and the abstract does not establish treatment benefits for people with depression.
The authors report substantial inconsistency, publication bias and incomplete reporting. The abstract also omits detailed comparator conditions and test timing, limiting interpretation of the pooled estimate across different experiments.
What the test measured
The forced swim test measures immobility in rodents and is used to assess antidepressant activity. Reduced immobility was the experimental outcome here. The review did not measure human depressive symptoms, recovery or quality of life.
Consistency depended on the species
Mouse experiments showed reduced immobility across diverse conditions, while rat findings were more variable. The authors identified imipramine as having particularly robust evidence in both species, while warning that bias compromised the accuracy of pooled effect estimates.
The original publication
Antidepressant effect or bias? Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using the forced swimming test.
Martins T, Ramos-Hryb AB, da Silva MAB et al.
Behav Pharmacol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40742792
- Record checked
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