Spontaneous alternation and spatial learning in Dab1scm (scrambler) mutant mice

doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2012.01.001

Brain Research Bulletin

Volume 87, Issues 4–5, 10 March 2012, Pages 383-386

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2012.01.001 Get rights and content

Abstract

Homozygous Dab1^scm mutants with cell ectopias in cerebellar cortex, hippocampus, and neocortex were compared with non-ataxic heterozygous and wild-type controls in spontaneous alternation and Morris water maze tests. Although there were no group differences in alternation rates, wild-type and heterozygote groups alternated above chance levels, whereas homozygous Dab1^scm mutants did not. In the Morris water maze, Dab1^scm mutants were impaired in both hidden and visible platform subtests. The deficits in spontaneous alternation and water maze measures reproduce the phenotype previously described in Reln^rl–Orl mutants, attributed to disturbance of the same molecular pathway involving reelin.

Highlights

► Dab1^scm mutants have ectopias in cerebellum and hippocampus. ► Dab1^scm mutants were impaired in spontaneous alternation. ► Dab1^scm mutants were impaired in water maze. ► Dab1^scm phenotype resembles that of Reln^rl–Orl mutants. ► Similar behavioral results are found for the same molecular pathways.

Section snippets

Mice

Dab1^scm/+ breeders on the A/A (agouti) genetic background were purchased from Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine, USA) and crossed to obtain ataxic Dab1^scm/Dab1^scm mutants (n = 9, 4 males, 5 females), non-ataxic Dab1^scm/+ heterozygotes (n = 6, 2 males, 4 females), and +/+ wild-type (n = 7, 3 males, 4 females), determined by genetic history. To facilitate survival of mutant homozygotes, food pellets were spread on the cage floor and the overhead bin. The mice were tested at about 10 months of age

Results

Although there were no intergroup differences in spontaneous alternation rates [Krusal–Wallis, p > 0.05], the more sensitive method of comparing each group to chance reached significance. Indeed, during the first 5 days of spontaneous alternation (Table 1), wild-type [U = 7, p < 0.05] and heterozygote [U = 5, p = 0.05] mice alternated above chance, whereas Dab1^scm mutants did not [U = 36, p > 0.05]. This pattern held up for all 10 days of testing in heterozygotes [U = 3, p < 0.05] and Dab1^scm mutants [U = 27, p >

Discussion

The tendency of alternating arm choices in a T-maze was evaluated in Dab1^scm mutant mice relative to two non-ataxic control groups. There was no intergroup difference in alternation rates, but significant results emerged with the more sensitive method of comparing each group to chance. Unlike either wild-type or heterozygotes, homozygous mutants did not alternate significantly above chance during the first 5 days of evaluation. When the test was prolonged to a maximum of 10 days, Dab1^scm

Acknowledgment

This study was funded by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to RL.

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Research reportSpontaneous alternation and spatial learning in Dab1scm (scrambler) mutant mice

Abstract

Highlights

Section snippets

Mice

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgment

Behav. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Epilepsy Behav.

Neurobiol. Learn. Mem.

Brain Res. Bull.

Behav. Neural Biol.

Behav. Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Brain Res. Rev.

Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev.

Behav. Brain Res.

Brain Res.

Neurosci. Res.

Learn. Motiv.

A qualitative and quantitative light microscopic study of the inferior olivary complex of normal, reeler, and weaver mutant mice

J. Comp. Neurol.

Topographic and zonal organization of the olivocerebellar projection in the reeler mutant mouse

J. Comp. Neurol.

Reeler: new tales on an old mutant mouse

Bioessays

A protein related to extracellular matrix proteins deleted in the mouse mutant reeler

Nature

Spontaneous alternation in rats with lesions in the frontal lobe: extension of the frontal lobe syndrome

Physiol. Behav.

Cerebellar abnormalities in the disabled (mdab1-1) mouse

J. Comp. Neurol.

The embryonic development of the cerebellum in normal and reeler mutant mice

Anat. Embryol.

Research report
Spontaneous alternation and spatial learning in Dab1^scm (scrambler) mutant mice