Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Measuring Motor Coordination in Mice
Published on: May 29, 2013
Using a mouse model to gain insights into developmental coordination disorder
Kamaldeep K Gill1,2, Jeffy Rajan Soundara Rajan3,4, Daniel Goldowitz2,3,4
1Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Insights
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor skills in many children. This study introduces a mouse model to investigate DCD
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Motor impairments are prevalent in neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting over 50% of children with ADHD or ASD.
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting motor coordination and learning, with unknown causes.
- Animal models are crucial for understanding the behavioral and mechanistic aspects of motor control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel mouse model for studying Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
- To gain behavioral and genetic insights into the underlying causes of DCD.
- To establish a model with high face, construct, and predictive validity for DCD research.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing pre-clinical and clinical expertise to develop the mouse model.
- Establishing specific scientific criteria for the model's validity.
- Employing behavioral analysis and genetic investigation in mice.
Main Results:
- The study outlines the methodology for a new mouse model of DCD.
- The model is designed to meet rigorous scientific criteria for validity.
- This approach facilitates the investigation of DCD's potential causes.
Conclusions:
- The developed mouse model offers a robust platform for DCD research.
- This model aids in understanding the behavioral and genetic underpinnings of DCD.
- Further investigation using this model can elucidate the etiology of DCD.
Abstract:
Motor impairments are a common feature of many neurodevelopmental disorders; in fact, over 50% of children with Attentional Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder may have a co-occurring diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). DCD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology that affects motor coordination and learning, significantly impacting a child's ability to carry out everyday activities. Animal models play an important role in scientific investigation of behaviour and the mechanisms and processes that are involved in control of motor actions. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach in the mouse directed to gain behavioral and genetic insights into DCD that is designed with high face validity, construct validity and predictive validity. Pre-clinical and clinical expertise is used to establish a set of scientific criteria that the model will meet in order to investigate the potential underlying causes of DCD.
