Long-term home cage activity scans reveal lowered exploratory behaviour in symptomatic female Rett mice

Robinson, L., Plano, A., Cobb, S. and Riedel, G. (2013) Long-term home cage activity scans reveal lowered exploratory behaviour in symptomatic female Rett mice. Behavioural Brain Research, 250, pp. 148-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.041)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.041

Abstract

<p>Numerous experimental models have been developed to reiterate endophenotypes of Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder with a multitude of motor, cognitive and vegetative symptoms. Here, female Mecp2Stop mice [1] were characterised at mild symptomatic conditions in tests for anxiety (open field, elevated plus maze) and home cage observation systems for food intake, locomotor activity and circadian rhythms.</p> <p>Aged 8–9 months, Mecp2Stop mice presented with heightened body weight, lower overall activity in the open field, but no anxiety phenotype. Although home cage activity scans conducted in two different observation systems, PhenoMaster and PhenoTyper, confirmed normal circadian activity, they revealed severely compromised habituation to a novel environment in all parameters registered including those derived from a non-linear decay model such as initial exploration maximum, decay half-life of activity and span, as well as plateau. Furthermore, overall activity was significantly reduced in nocturnal periods due to reductions in both fast ambulatory movements, but also a slow lingering. In contrast, light-period activity profiles during which the amount of sleep was highest remained normal in Mecp2Stop mice.</p> <p>These data confirm the slow and progressive development of Rett-like symptoms in female Mecp2Stop mice resulting in a prominent reduction of overall locomotor activity, while circadian rhythms are maintained. Alterations in the time-course of habituation may indicate deficiencies in cognitive processing.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cobb, Dr Stuart
Authors: Robinson, L., Plano, A., Cobb, S., and Riedel, G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Behavioural Brain Research
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0166-4328
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 The Authors
First Published:First published in Behavioural Brain Research
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
480301Reversibility and mapping of Rett Syndrome-like phenotypes in the mouse brainStuart CobbMedical Research Council (MRC)G0800401/86343RI NEUROSCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY