Responses to environmental enrichment differ with sex and genotype in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental enrichment (EE) in laboratory animals improves neurological function and motor/cognitive performance, and is proposed as a strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. EE has been investigated in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease (HD), where increased social interaction, sensory stimulation, exploration, and physical activity improved survival. We have also shown previously that HD patients and R6/2 mice have disrupted circadian rhythms, treatment of which may improve cognition, general health, and survival.

Methodology/principal findings

We examined the effects of EE on the behavioral phenotype and circadian activity of R6/2 mice. Our mice are typically housed in an "enriched" environment, so the EE that the mice received was in addi

SUBMITTER: Wood NI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2820540 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature