A behavior profile of the MRL/Mp lpr/lpr mouse and its association with hydrocephalus

Since the NZB and BXSB autoimmune mouse strains have cortical ectopias and associated behavioral changes, mice from the MRL/l (MRL/Mp lpr/lpr) autoimmune strain were given a series of behavioral tests followed by anatomical analyses of their brains and immune assays of plasma. No cortical ectopias were found, but this strain was discovered to have a high incidence of hydrocephalus: 46% had severe dilatation of the lateral and third ventricles, 30% had moderate dilatation, and 24% had minimal or no enlargement of the ventricles (total N = 57). Those mice in the severe hydrocephalus group were poorer in a nonspatial discrimination learning task, had less paw asymmetry, and were less active in a swimming task. No association was found between degree of hydrocephalus and any immune parameter.