〔Abstract〕 Objective To investigate the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH) on depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in CIH mice model and the possible mechanisms. Methods Fourteen 8-week-old male C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl group) and CIH group. The depressive-like behavior was evaluated by the tail suspension test; while the basic motor function and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated by the open field test. Western blot was performed to quantitatively detect the expression of mTOR, p-mTOR, Atg7, p62, NLRP3 and NLRP1 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice. Results Compared with the Ctrl group, CIH group mice showed reduced moving distance(t=6.377,P<0.001), moving speed(t=6.362,P<0.001), line crossing(t=6.131,P<0.001) and central time(t=9.295,P<0.001) in open field test. Besides, the immobility time(t=4.684,P<0.001) in tail suspension test was increased in CIH mice. In addition, Western blot results showed an increased NLRP3(t=15.320,P<0.001), p-mTOR(t=5.076,P<0.05) and a decreased Atg7(t=3.511,P<0.05) protein levels in hippocampus, leaving unchanged in prefrontal cortex. Conclusion CIH can lead to depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in mice through activating mTOR to inhibit autophagy and increasing NLRP3 inflammasome protein level.