Introduction and Goals - Mutations Affecting Motor Function
Our goal is to detect mice with movement abnormalities resulting from disruption of motor neuron, cerebellar or neuromuscular function.
All mice will be observed at weaning for overt gait or posture abnormalities, wasting, and paralysis. To detect more subtle motor function defects, mice will also undergo a series of tests for motor function. To detect slowly progressive, delayed onset disorders more reminiscent of those found in humans, a subset of aged mice will be screened at >= 12 months of age.
Heritable deviants will be further defined and validated. For motor coordination, we will determine whether the disorder is progressive or developmental. For neuromuscular mutants, we will also determine if the primary defect is myogenic or neurogenic using physiologic measurements.
