Knockout Mouse Model Of Cognitive Deficits
- Technology Benefits
- First animalmodel for synapse dysgenesis-related cognitive deficitsApproximatesseveral human disorders
- Detailed Technology Description
- Mouse model of cognitive deficits associated with aberrant formation of neural synapses #researchtool #animalmodel
- *Abstract
-
A Northwestern researcher has developed a mouse model that approximates human cognitive deficits. Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders that affect cognition are devastating illnesses that impose a large public health burden on society. Among these diseases are schizophrenia, mental retardation, autism and Alzheimer's disease, which affect people in all age groups and share a common early event in pathogenesis. Disruption of synapses is a key event in pathogenesis of all of the above-mentioned diseases, so the first step toward developing treatments is to establish valid animal models. The knock out mice generated in Prof. Penzes' laboratory show no gross brain development problems, but exhibit alterations in the hippocampus (18% smaller than controls) and cerebral cortex (~9% smaller) as well as reduced dendrite branching and spine density. Furthermore, these knock out mice have specific and significant cognitive impairments similar to what is seen in humans. This mouse model may be a useful tool for several basic and translational research avenues, and could help improve treatments for cognitive deficits.
- *Inventors
- Peter Penzes*
- *Publications
- CahillME, Xie Z, Day M, Photowala H, Barbolina MV, Miller CA, Weiss C, Radulovic J, SweattJD, Disterhoft JF, Surmeier DJ (2009) Kalirin Regulates Cortical SpineMorphogenesis and Disease Related Behaviral Phenotypes, PNAS, 106: 13058-63
- Country/Region
- USA
