First Author | Roesler R | Year | 1999 |
Journal | Brain Res Mol Brain Res | Volume | 71 |
Issue | 2 | Pages | 349-53 |
PubMed ID | 10521590 | Mgi Jnum | J:57672 |
Mgi Id | MGI:1345531 | Doi | 10.1016/s0169-328x(99)00193-x |
Citation | Roesler R, et al. (1999) Normal inhibitory avoidance learning and anxiety, but increased locomotor activity in mice devoid of PrP(C). Brain Res Mol Brain Res 71(2):349-53 |
abstractText | Prions are the causative agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The transmissible agent (PrP(Sc)) is an abnormal form of PrP(C), a normal neuronal protein. The physiological role of PrP(C) remains unclear. In the present report, we evaluated behavioral parameters in Prnp(0/0) mice devoid of PrP(C). Prnp(0/0) mice showed normal short- and long-term retention of a step-down inhibitory avoidance task and normal behavior in an elevated plus maze test of anxiety. During a 5-min exploration of an open field, Prnp(0/0) mice showed normal number of rearings, defecation, and latency to initiate locomotion, but a significant increase in the number of crossings. The results suggest that Prnp(0/0) mice show normal fear-motivated memory, anxiety and exploratory behavior, and a slight increase in locomotor activity during exploration of a novel environment. |