Independent depression and fear studies suggest overlap in the brain structures involved in depression and fear response. The current study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that fear response is increased in the Flinders sensitive line rat (FSL), an animal model of depression. Behavioral fear and stress indices were measured in response to an unconditioned fear stimulus, trimethylthiazoline. Results disprove the hypothesis and show that the FSL exhibit a diminished fear response.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Concepcion, Miguel A.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 05D034M

Advisor

• Ryder, Elizabeth F.

Year

• 2005

Date created

• 2005-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright