Delayed spontaneous alternation in Purkinje cell degeneration mutant mice

Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutant mice lose cerebellar Purkinje cells. It was found that pcd mice, contrary to normal mice, did not alternate spontaneously at any of 3 inter-trial intervals (15 s, 3 or 6 min). Deficits in spontaneous alternation are typical of animals with brain damage in areas important in spatial learning. Results are discussed in terms of a role for the cerebellum in spatially mediated behavior and behavioral inhibition.