Affiliations: Central Michigan University, Neuroscience Program, East Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA | Current Affiliation with MPI Research, Mattawan, MI, USA
Note: [] Correspondence to: Michael I. Sandstrom, Central Michigan University, Neuroscience Program, Health Professions Building 2179, 1280 East Campus Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, USA. Tel.: +1 989 774 2881; Lab: +1 989 774 3220; Fax: +1 989 774 7108; E-mail: sands1m@cmich.edu
Abstract: Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder with few available treatments. Clinical observations suggest prefrontal dysfunction in early stages of HD is associated with altered glutamate transport. Evidence from the R6/2 mouse model suggests an abnormal increase in glutamate signaling in the sensorimotor cortex and striatum. Objective: The present study was designed to determine if a similar deficit in glutamate function occurs in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Hdh(CAG150) mice. Methods: We used the following groups of 40 week old male and female Hdh(CAG150) mice: homozygote n = 7, heterozygote n = 7, wild type n = 6. Motor coordination was evaluated using a hanging wire grid test and a balance beam. Microdialysis measurements were taken from the PFC of freely moving mice while glutamate transporters were inhibited by L-trans-pyrrolidine-2, 4-dicarboxylate (PDC) and compared to baseline glutamate levels. Results: Results indicated an elevation in glutamate levels in response to PDC but no significant difference among genotype groups. When comparing wild type and homozygote alone, a significant difference in total extracellular glutamate was observed. Contrary to our original hypothesis, the homozygote group had lower glutamate levels compared to their wild type counterparts. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in GABA measurements across genotypes. Conclusions: Our results suggest a mechanistic dichotomy between R6/2 and Hdh(CAG150) mice and underscores the need to select the appropriate HD mouse model when assessing therapeutic interventions. In particular, the time when animals are evaluated can have a significant impact on behavioral and physiological measures and so should be carefully considered.
