Reaching and grasping phenotypes in the mouse ( Mus musculus ): A characterization of inbred strains and mutant lines

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 147; no. 3; pp. 573 - 582
• Main Authors: Tucci, V, Achilli, F, Blanco, G, Lad, H.V, Wells, S, Godinho, S, Nolan, P.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 13.07.2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; grasping; Hand Strength - physiology; Huntingtin Protein; inbred strains; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains - physiology; Mice, Transgenic - physiology; motor phenotypes; Motor Skills - physiology; mouse; mouse mutants; Movement - physiology; Mus musculus; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Neurology; Nuclear Proteins - genetics; Phenotype; Posture; Primates; reaching; Superoxide Dismutase - genetics; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; amyotropic lateral sclerosis; grasping; motor phenotypes; mouse mutants; kyphoscoliosis; MoRaG; RPE; latency to the first reach; ALS; reaching; ky; mouse; right paw entry; inbred strains; LFR; legs at odd angles; Mouse Reaching and Grasping; Loa; Mus musculus; Rodentia; Characterization; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Animal; Mutation
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.04.034

Abstract Skilled movements, such as reaching and grasping, have classically been considered as originating in the primate lineage. For this reason, the use of rodents to investigate the genetic and molecular machinery of reaching and grasping has been limited in research. A few studies in rodents have now shown that these movements are not exclusive to primates. Here we present a new test, the Mouse Reaching and Grasping (MoRaG) performance scale, intended to help researchers in the characterization of these motor behaviors in the mouse. Within the MoRaG test battery we identified early phenotypes for the characterization of motor neurone (Tg[SOD1-G93A]dl 1Gur mice) and neurodegenerative (TgN(HD82Gln)81Dbo transgenic mice) disease models in addition to specific motor deficits associated with aging (C3H/HeH inbred strain). We conclude that the MoRaG test can be used to further investigate complex neuromuscular, neurological, neurodegenerative and behavioral disorders. Moreover, our study supports the validity of the mouse as a model for reaching and grasping studies.