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Measuring Motor Coordination in Mice
Published on: May 29, 2013
Systemic administration of Congo red does not improve motor or cognitive function in R6/2 mice
Nigel I Wood1, Patrick N Pallier, Jonathan Wanderer
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK.
Neurobiology of Disease
|November 11, 2006
Summary
Congo red did not improve motor or cognitive deficits in R6/2 mice models of Huntington's disease (HD). This failure is likely because Congo red cannot effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, limiting its therapeutic potential for HD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no current treatments.
- Abnormal protein aggregates (inclusions) are characteristic of HD in both humans and R6/2 mouse models.
- Disrupting protein aggregation is a potential therapeutic strategy for HD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate a previous study suggesting Congo red can ameliorate HD symptoms in R6/2 mice.
- To investigate the effects of Congo red on both motor and cognitive deficits in R6/2 mice.
- To evaluate Congo red as a potential therapeutic agent for Huntington's disease.
Main Methods:
- Systemic administration of Congo red to R6/2 mice.
- Assessment of motor function and cognitive deficits.
- Evaluation of striatal inclusion levels (based on previous study).
Main Results:
- Congo red treatment did not improve motor deficits in R6/2 mice.
- Congo red treatment failed to ameliorate cognitive deficits in R6/2 mice.
- The study suggests Congo red's inability to cross the blood-brain barrier limits its efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Congo red is unlikely to be a useful therapy for Huntington's disease.
- The failure to improve behavioral deterioration highlights limitations in using Congo red for HD.
- Blood-brain barrier penetration is a critical factor for potential HD therapeutics.
