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Ontogeny and adult behavior of mice with congenital neural tube defects
Abstract:
Effects of abnormal neural tube development were studied in immature and adult mice. The behavior of affected adult mice was found to resemble that of mice that exhibit the "waltzer syndrome." Behavioral ontogenetic studies indicate that effected mice are deficient in labyrinthine responses as shown by the late development or lack of negative geotaxic behaviors and the delayed loss of pivoting behavior. Retarded maturation of neural responses was indicated by a delay in the appearance of the startle response. Evidence that circling behavior in adult mice of the "waltzer syndrome" may be a result of central nervous system disorders alone, or in concert with abnormalities of the inner ear, was provided by the fact that open field activity was increased in affected mice that exhibit circling behavior as adults.
Insights
Abnormal neural tube development in mice leads to waltzer syndrome-like behaviors, including impaired labyrinthine responses and delayed neural maturation. These findings suggest central nervous system involvement in circling behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Abnormal neural tube development can lead to various neurological and behavioral deficits.
- The 'waltzer syndrome' is a recognized behavioral phenotype in mice, characterized by circling behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and neurological effects of abnormal neural tube development in mice.
- To compare the behavioral phenotype of mice with abnormal neural tube development to those with 'waltzer syndrome'.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral ontogenetic studies were conducted on immature and adult mice with abnormal neural tube development.
- Assessment of labyrinthine responses, geotaxic behaviors, pivoting, startle response, and open field activity.
Main Results:
- Affected adult mice exhibited behaviors similar to those with 'waltzer syndrome'.
- Deficiencies in labyrinthine responses were observed, including delayed/absent negative geotaxis and delayed loss of pivoting.
- Delayed maturation of neural responses was indicated by a delayed startle response.
- Increased open field activity in circling mice suggests a potential central nervous system component.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal neural tube development results in a 'waltzer syndrome'-like phenotype.
- The observed behaviors suggest impaired labyrinthine responses and delayed neural maturation.
- Circling behavior may stem from central nervous system disorders, possibly in conjunction with inner ear abnormalities.