Electromyographical and Motor Performance Studies in thepmnMouse Model of Neurodegenerative Disease

Abstract

The mouse autosomal recessive mutation progressive motor neuronopathy (pmn) results in early onset motor neuron disease with rapidly progressive hindlimb paralysis, severe muscular wasting, and death at around 6 weeks of age. This mutant provides opportunities for testing novel therapeutic strategies, including the administration of trophic factors, to prevent the degeneration of diseased neurons. The construction of a strain expressing thepmnand theExtra-toe(Xt) phenotypes allows the detection, and therefore the treatment, of affected progeny before the onset of the clinical weakness. Electromyography is the most appropriate technique for a longitudinal study in which a given individual is examined repeatedly. We present the results of an electrophysiological and behavioral exploration of thepmndisease and show that electromyography is a powerful tool for following the course of the disease and evaluating potential therapies relevant to motor neuron diseases.