Object exploration in staggerer mutant mice.
Staggerer mutant mice, which lose Purkinje and granule cells in the cerebellum, were found to explore for a longer period of time than normal mice a novel object placed in a familiar environment. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of general motor activity. These results are discussed in regard to a role for the cerebellum in behavioral inhibition and emotion.
Lalonde
R
R
Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Section of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Montreal, Canada.
Botez
M I
MI
Boivin
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D051379:Mice; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D013997:Time Factors