Motor abnormalities in lurcher mutant mice

Abstract

Lurcher mutants had deficits in equilibrium in the coat-hanger and grid tests but not the wooden beam test. Although the mutants had less hole-pokes when confronted with small holes in most conditions, they had more hole-pokes with larger holes, demonstrating perseverative behavior. There was no decrease in rearing responses. These results indicate that in spite of cerebellar degeneration and ataxia, lurcher mutants are not impaired in all tests measuring motor function.