title: Sensorimotor learning in Dab1(scm) (scrambler) mutant mice.
abstract: Homozygous Dab1(scm) mouse mutants with cell ectopias in cerebellar cortex and neocortex were compared with non-ataxic controls on two tests of motor coordination: rotorod and grid climbing. Even at the minimal speed of 4 rpm and unlike controls, none of the Dab1(scm) mutants reached criterion on the constant speed rotorod. In contrast, Dab1(scm) mutants improved their performances on the vertical grid over the course of the same number of trials. Thus, despite massive cerebellar degeneration, sensorimotor learning for equilibrium is still possible, indicating the potential usefulness of the grid-climbing test in determining residual functions in mice with massive cerebellar damage.
authors.affiliation: Université de Rouen, Faculté des Sciences, Dépt. Psychologie, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France. robert.lalonde@univ-rouen.fr
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lalonde
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strazielle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001259:Ataxia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test
chemical_list: C103773:Dab1 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins