Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Implantation of Combined Telemetric ECG and Blood Pressure Transmitters to Determine Spontaneous Baroreflex Sensitivity in Conscious Mice
Published on: February 14, 2021
Baroreceptor reflex dysfunction in the BACHD mouse model of Huntington's disease
Analyne M Schroeder1, Dawn H Loh, Maria C Jordan
1Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024 USA and Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1751.
Insights
Huntington's disease (HD) mouse models show autonomic dysfunction, indicated by blunted baroreceptor reflex and higher blood pressure. These cardiovascular changes may contribute to disease progression and fatal events in HD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder impacting movement, emotion, and cognition.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is increasingly recognized in HD patients, potentially increasing cardiovascular event risk.
- The BACHD mouse model recapitulates key features of Huntington's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate autonomic and cardiovascular function in the BACHD mouse model of Huntington's disease.
- To assess baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and blood pressure regulation in BACHD mice.
- To examine cardiac structural and functional changes associated with autonomic dysfunction in HD.
Main Methods:
- Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity was measured in BACHD and wild-type (WT) mice.
- Daytime blood pressure was monitored in both groups.
- Cardiac structure was assessed by heart weight to tibia length ratios.
- Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function.
Main Results:
- BACHD mice exhibited a blunted baroreceptor reflex response compared to WT controls.
- Significantly higher daytime blood pressure was observed in BACHD mice.
- Increased heart weight to tibia length ratios were found in BACHD mice at 7 and 12 months of age, suggesting cardiac hypertrophy.
- Echocardiographic analysis revealed normal heart function in BACHD mice despite structural changes.
Conclusions:
- The BACHD mouse model displays significant autonomic dysfunction, characterized by impaired baroreceptor reflex and hypertension.
- Cardiac structural changes, likely a response to elevated blood pressure, are present in BACHD mice.
- These findings highlight the importance of studying autonomic and cardiovascular function in HD pathophysiology and may inform future therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Huntington's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that presents with a triad of clinical symptoms, which include movement abnormalities, emotional disturbance and cognitive impairment. Recent studies reported dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system in Huntington's disease patients, which may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiovascular events in this patient population that often leads to death. We measured the baroreceptor reflex, a process dependent on proper autonomic function, in the BACHD mouse model of Huntington's disease. We found a blunted response of the baroreceptor reflex as well as significantly higher daytime blood pressure in BACHD mice compared to WT controls, which are both indications of autonomic dysfunction. BACHD mice had increased heart weight to tibia length ratios at 7 and 12 mo of age suggesting hypertrophic changes of the heart, which we speculate is a response to the increased blood pressure and aberrant baroreceptor reflex. Despite these structural changes, the hearts of BACHD mice continue to function normally as assessed by echocardiographic analysis. Studies of autonomic and cardiovascular function in BACHD mice may help elucidate the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease and aid in the development of clinical strategies to offset the incidence of fatal cardiovascular events in the Huntington's disease patient population.
More Related Videos
05:03Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy
Published on: April 17, 2020
07:22Assessment of Blood-brain Barrier Permeability by Intravenous Infusion of FITC-labeled Albumin in a Mouse Model of Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: November 8, 2017