[The tail suspension test: its theory and practical application].

The tail suspension test (TST) was originally proposed by Steru et al (1985) as a primary screening test of anti-depressant drugs. In this test, it is shown that tail suspension-induced immobility of mice is specifically antagonized by such drugs. More recently, the automated version of TST (ITEMATIC-TST) was developed by the same authors. In the present paper, we described our own device which utilized spring, contactless micro angle potentiometer, A/D converter and personal computer. Results obtained with this apparatus showed that repeated, not single, administration of tricyclic and atypical antidepressants could reverse the immobility of mice. Methamphetamine also activated the behavior, but other psychotropic drugs did not have positive results. Based on these findings, the usefulness and problems of our device were discussed as compared with the original TST.