Study on the behavioral changes of a post-stroke depression rat model

The aim of this study was to observe the changes in the levels of learning and memory in a post-stroke depression (PSD) rat model. Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (normal group), group B (stroke group) and group C (PSD group). Each group comprised 16 rats. Three and 7 days after successful modeling, the open-field, sucrose solution consumption and forced swimming tests were performed, so as to evaluate behavioral changes in the three groups of rats. The sucrose solution consumption of the rats in group B was lower than that in group A in the tests at the two time-points, but only the difference after 7 days was statistically significant (P<0.05). The sucrose solution consumption of the rats in group C was lower than the consumption of those in groups A and B, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The open-field test results showed that the horizontal and vertical activity scores of the rats in group B were significantly lower than those of the rats in group A (P<0.05). Furthermore, the two test levels and the vertical activity scores of the rats in group C were significantly lower than those of the rats in groups A and B (P<0.05). The immobility time of the rats in the forced swimming test was higher in group B than that in group A at the two time-points, but the difference was only statistically significant after 7 days (P<0.05). The immobility time of the rats in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A and B (P<0.01). In conclusion, rats with PSD exhibited a significantly reduced memory capacity and altered behavior. The changes in the PSD rats were more severe than those in the rats in the stroke group.