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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Measuring Motor Coordination in Mice
Published on: May 29, 2013
Motor coordination deficits in mice lacking RGS9
Jacqueline Blundell1, Chau V Hoang, Bryan Potts
1Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390-8813, USA.
Brain Research
|December 13, 2007
Summary
Regulator of G protein signaling 9-2 (RGS9-2) deletion impairs motor coordination and working memory in mice. This highlights RGS9-2
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Regulator of G protein signaling 9-2 (RGS9-2) is a striatum-enriched protein.
- RGS9-2 negatively modulates dopamine and opioid receptor signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of RGS9-2 in complex behaviors.
- To determine the behavioral consequences of RGS9-2 genetic deletion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized RGS9 knockout (KO) mouse model.
- Assessed motor coordination using the accelerating rotarod test.
- Evaluated working memory using the delayed-match-to-place water maze task.
Main Results:
- RGS9 KO mice showed decreased motor coordination.
- RGS9 KO mice exhibited deficits in working memory.
- Normal performance was observed in locomotor activity, anxiety, fear conditioning, and sensorimotor gating.
Conclusions:
- RGS9-2 plays a specific role in motor coordination and working memory.
- RGS9-2 is implicated as a potential therapeutic target for motor and cognitive dysfunction.
