title: Neurophysiological abnormalities in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons from the trisomy-16 mouse fetus, a model for Down syndrome.
abstract: The trisomy-16 mouse is considered to be a model of human trisomy-21 (Down syndrome). We have examined the electrical membrane properties of cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from normal and trisomy-16 fetuses. Trisomy-16 neurons had significantly accelerated rates of action potential depolarization and repolarization compared to diploid neurons, resulting in decreased spike duration. These changes match those reported in human trisomy-21 DRG neurons. Such abnormalities may contribute to the mental retardation characteristic of Down syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ault
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caviedes
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Rapoport
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D051379:Mice