Rotorod sensorimotor learning in cerebellar mutant mice

doi:10.1016/0168-0102(95)00916-H

Neuroscience Research

Volume 22, Issue 4, July 1995, Pages 423-426

https://doi.org/10.1016/0168-0102(95)00916-H Get rights and content

Abstract

Lurcher mutant mice, characterized by degeneration of cerebellar granule and Purkinje cells, were compared to normal littermate controls in a rotorod test, consisting of a wheel turning at constant speed which required on the part of the animal postural adjustments in order to maintain equilibrium. Identical baseline rates for the two grops were assured by changing the speed and size of the rotating rod. Although both groups were able to learn the task, the fall latencies of normal mice exceeded those of lurchers. These results indicate that cerebellar cortical atrophy does not abolish this form of sensorimotor learning. However, brain-damaged animals are unable to reach the same level of performance as normal animals. In contrast to the results in lurcher mutants, no sensorimotor learning was displayed by hot-foot mutants and staggerer mutants.

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Citation Excerpt :
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Rapid communicationRotorod sensorimotor learning in cerebellar mutant mice

Abstract

Brain Res.

Dev. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Curr. Opin. Neurobiol.

Behav. Brain Res.

A qualitative and quantitative light microscopic study of the inferior olivary complex of the adult staggerer mutant mouse

J. Neurogenet.

Structural and quantitative studies on the normal C3H and lurcher mutant mouse

Philosoph. Trans. R. Soc. London (Biol.)

The cerebellum and motor learning

J. Cogn. Neurosci.

Rapid communication
Rotorod sensorimotor learning in cerebellar mutant mice