Depression-like state behavioural outputs may confer beneficial outcomes in risky environments.

ABSTRACT: Recent theories in evolutionary medicine have suggested that behavioural outputs associated with depression-like states (DLS) could be an adaptation to unpredictable and precarious situations. In animal models, DLS are often linked to diverse and unpredictable stressors or adverse experiences. Theoretically, there are a range of potential fitness benefits associated with behavioural inhibition (typical to DLS), as opposed to more active/aggressive responses to adverse or uncontrollable events. This stance of evolutionary medicine has to our knowledge not been tested empirically. Here we address a possible key benefit of behavioural inhibition in a comparative model for social stress (territorial rainbow trout). By treating fish with the fast-acting antidepressant ketamine, we reversed the

SUBMITTER: Vindas MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6405905 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature