[YorkshireSeason]

What scientifically credible, i.e. at least stably reproducible, connection does the head twitch response in mice have to do with depression in humans?

[heavyset_go]

The head twitch test is used to determine whether a substance activates 5HT2A in the same way psychedelics do.

The forced swim test is used in animal models of depression: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioural_despair_test

I'm a layman, I don't know what the scientific basis is for using the test to model depression. I personally find it pretty cruel.