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Gait disturbances in mouse models of ataxia telangiectasia
Web Published: January 1, 2008
MSI is pleased to announce a research grant from the
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Children's Project [ATCP]
to study gait in mouse models of Ataxia-Telangiectasia. A-T is an autosomal recessive disease that results
from a mutation in the gene for AT protein kinase (the ATM gene). A-T first becomes apparent when the affected child begins to walk, usually between 12 and 18 months of age. Children with A-T present with an unsteady gait, possibly due to cerebellar dysfunction. Mice lacking the ATM gene provide a model of the human disorder, and evaluation of gait in this model might aid in evaluating drug efficacy. We will apply our patented ventral plane videography to determine gait indices in ATM -/- mice and control mice walking on a transparent treadmill belt at walking speeds of 24 cm/s and 36 cm/s. Because of genetic differences in the incidence and severity of lymphomas between strains, strain differences in gait dynamics, and an aim to characterize gait in the absence of tumors, we will study mice on 3 different background strains: B6, A/J, and 129/SvJ.
Mice will be provided
by
Michael M. Weil, Ph.D of Colorado State University
.
Gait will be studied in males beginning at ~4 weeks of age. Mice will be analyzed weekly for 12 weeks, and monthly thereafter out to one year. Data will be made available to interested researchers in hopes of advancing discussions of the disease models, studying motor dysfunction phenotypes, and identifying early functional evidence of the effect of ATM gene deficiency on gait. Freely accessible data will include:
Postural and gait kinematic data for the mice for each of 4 limbs.
[Data is updated periodically;
click here
to download the most current data file.]
Representative video clips of the ventral view of mice exhibiting normal
gait or exhibiting interesting gait characteristics.
Click here
to see library of available movies
of walking control and ATM -/- mice.
Data summaries, interpretation, technical notes, and publications regarding gait analysis in ATM -/- mice and related models.
Click here to see library.
