Life After the Lab: Recovery and Reuse of Mice Exposed to Emotional Stress Models

Animal models of depression typically rely on stress-induced paradigms, yet little research has addressed the recovery and reuse potential of stressed laboratory mice. This study proposes an experimental design using the Chronic Social Defeat Stress (CSDS) model (n = 60) to assess behavioral and biological recovery following interventions including ketamine, benzodiazepines, SSRIs, dietary enrichment, and natural rest. Behavioral assays (social interaction, sucrose preference, and forced swim tests) and physiological markers (plasma corticosterone, BDNF) will track recovery over a six-week period. We hypothesize that all intervention groups will show improvement, with ketamine and benzodiazepines producing the fastest initial recovery. Following recovery, mice will be re-exposed to a novel CSDS paradigm to evaluate reuse viability. This study aims to (1) establish recovery trajectories, (2) test intervention durability, and (3) explore translational frameworks for human depression treatment. Sample size was selected to detect moderate effects while supporting repeated-measures analyses. Findings may inform ethical refinements in laboratory practice and offer novel insights for advancing stress resilience and clinical interventions.