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Hyperactivity and depression-like traits in Bax KO mice.
Thomas E Krahe1, Alexandre E Medina2, Crystal L Lantz3
1Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, IBRAG, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, USA.
Brain Research
|September 13, 2015
Summary
Mice lacking the pro-apoptotic Bax gene show increased locomotor activity and depression-like behaviors. This highlights the critical role of apoptosis regulation in brain development and function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) protein is crucial for apoptosis regulation in neuronal development and injury.
- Bax knockout (Bax KO) mice are widely used in neurodevelopmental and disease research.
- The impact of Bax deletion on spontaneous locomotor activity and depression-like behaviors remains largely unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral phenotypes of Bax KO male mice.
- To evaluate spontaneous locomotor activity and depression-like traits in Bax KO mice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized classical behavioral paradigms: open field test and forced swimming test.
- Compared Bax KO male mice with their control littermates.
Main Results:
- Bax KO animals demonstrated significantly greater locomotor activity in the open field test compared to controls.
- Bax KO mice exhibited increased immobility times in the forced swimming test, indicative of a depressive-like state.
Conclusions:
- A balanced regulation of cell survival and death during early development is essential for normal adult brain function.
- Hyperactivity and depressive-like behaviors should be considered when utilizing the Bax KO mouse strain in research.
