Mutant Lurcher mice represent an animal model of naturally
occurring cerebellar degeneration. A gene mutation causes the
demise of all Purkinje cells, as along with certain other types, as
well as the functional elimination of the cerebellar cortex.
Involvement in the research using this model of the C3H strain
began at the Department of Physiology, UCL in 1995/96.
It continued in scientific cooperation with other European
laboratories where we obtained Lurcher mice of the B6CBA
strain. The aim of the effort was first to identify the extent to
which the cerebellum is involved in the higher nervous activity,
i.e. cognitive and other functions. In that research, use was
made of an entire array of methodological procedures to examine
learning, memory, motor functions and emotional behavior.
It was completed with an electrophysiological examination of the
brain and special microscopic procedures. The results
demonstrated that the cerebellum (aside from its traditional
tasks) does in fact play a significant role in cognitive function,
emotions, etc. It was further found that the neurodegenerative
processes also affected the immune and endocrine functions,
confirming the concept of the unity of the psychoneuroendocrine-immune system. Surprisingly, despite their
neurological impairment, the affected animals were able to learn
to some extent and, make progress with physical training,
improving not only their motor skills but also learning and
memory, including deferring of signs of aging. These particular
findings may prove useful for human medicine.