The Depressive Behavior and Physiological Effects on CD-1 Female Mice (Mus musculus) Subjected to a Series of Chronic Unpredictable Stressors While on a High Flaxseed Oil Diet Caitlin Verhalen, Department of Biology, York College Introduction Questions Objective Methods Results Overall Conclusions Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dr. Rehnberg for his guidance and feedback throughout my research. I would also like to thank Joan Carpenter for supplying any necessary items needed for my research. Additionally I would like to thank Raphael Perez for his help in handling the animals and assisting with the behavioral tests.  Unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) has been widely used in animals to mimic depression-like disorders. Damage from the UCMS such as oxidative stress is linked to many diseases like depression and anxiety (Kumar et al. 2011).  The adrenal glands are stimulated when the brain detects a stressful event and they release hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. There is a significant association between high cortisol levels and depression among individuals subjected to high stress (Kumar et al. 2010).  The failure to adapt successfully to stressful situations can result in stress-related diseases such as depression (Kumar et al. 2010).  The Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and those found in some plants contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which has been associated with reducing depressive-like behavior. They can stimulate the communication between the nerve cells that are associated with emotional stability and positive emotions such as serotonin and dopamine (Tanna et al. 2013).  Flaxseeds are a rich source of Omega-3. Some PUFAs are known to reduce cortisol levels and affect the brain derived neurotrophic factor which aids in synaptic plasticity and protection of neurotransmitters (Tanna et al. 2013). The enhancement of neurotransmission helps to promote antidepressant effects. 1. Do popular claims about changing ones’ diet in order to reduce depression hold true? 2. Would a diet with a higher quantity of essential fatty acids, (EFA’s) like the rich source of Omega-3 in flaxseeds be able to help reduce the cortisol/glucose release as well as depressive behaviors in mammals? To determine if a diet enriched with flaxseed oil will lower the effects of stress on CD-1 female mice as indicated by reduced behavioral depression and reduced levels of blood cortisol and glucose CTFONSTCONS1S1 BCFONBSCOFN 24 CD-1 Female Mice GROUP I Vegetable Oil Diet GROUP II Flaxseed Oil Diet GROUP III Vegetable Oil Diet Group IV Flaxseed Oil Diet UCMS (22 Days) Behavioral + Blood Tests on all 4 groups Figure 1. Set up for the forced swim test in 2000mL flasks with distilled H 2 0 Figure 2. Set up for the tail suspension test in a 10 Liter glass tank separated by a cardboard division. Tails supported by tape hung from wooden rod on top of tank Figure 3. Set up for the open field test. Field was surrounded by lamps on each side. Week 1*Week 4*Difference* Group I Group II Group III Group IV * Represents mean of all 6 mice per group Table1. Mean weights (grams) for CD-1 mice Popular claims about introducing more flaxseed oil to ones’ diet to reduce depression are not supported. The change in diet for the CD-1 mice shows no significant implication that the increase of Omega-3’s in flaxseed oil would reduce physiological and most behavioral signs of depression. Behavioral signs of depression for the forced swim test varied significantly between groups suggesting that it may be the more adequate model for depression in mice compared to the other models tested. References Kumar, B., Kuhad., Chopra, K Neuropsychopharmacological effect of sesamol In unpredictable chronic mild stress model of depression: behavioral and biochemical evidences. Psychopharmacology. 214: Tanna, I., Pandya, P., Harisha, C.R., Shukla, V.J., Chandola, H.M Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical evaluation of Atasi (Linum usitatissimum L.) Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 12(4): n=6 CTFONSBS1S1 Cage Tilt hr. T tail pinch 30sec Water deprivation 24hr Overnight illumination No stressCold Swim 12°; 5 min Damp Bedding Swimming room temp 23°; 10 min Figure 1. Method for saturating pellets with oil. Future Studies Different administration route. Biochemical analyses of stressed mice compared to unstressed. Do current antidepressant treatments fight against this UCMS model.