The olfactory bulbectomized rat as a model of depression.

The behavioural effects of bilateral olfactory bulbectomy in the rat are summarized and evidence presented to show that the deficits in active and passive avoidance behaviour, and hyperactivity in a novel stressful environment, can be specifically attenuated by chronic administration of antidepressants. The usefulness of the bulbectomized rat model in the detection of potential antidepressants and in giving an insight into the possible mechanisms of action of these drugs is summarized.