Behavioral Characterization of Vitamin D Receptor Knockout Mice

    February 2005 in “ Behavioural brain research ”
    Thomas H. J. Burne, John J. McGrath, Darryl W. Eyles, Alan Mackay‐Sim
    TLDR Vitamin D receptor knockout mice have significant motor impairments but no cognitive deficits.
    The study aimed to behaviorally characterize Vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout mice. VDR −/− mice exhibited alopecia, were shorter and lighter than wildtype controls, and showed impairments in motor coordination, reduced stride length, and decreased locomotion. They also had reduced habituation in the open field, less marble burying, and impaired prepulse inhibition (PPI) at long intervals. However, there were no significant differences in anxiety-related behaviors or working memory. The findings suggested that VDR −/− mice had notable muscular and motor impairments but no cognitive deficits.
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