neurology screen

Head

Prof. Dr. med. Thomas Klopstock

phone: +49 (089) 5160-7474
fax: +49 (089) 5160-7402
e-mail: Thomas.Klopstock@med.uni-muenchen.de

Mailing adresses

Friedrich-Baur-Institute
Neurological Clinic
Ludwig-Maximilians-University
Ziemsenstr. 1a
80366 Munich

Helmholtz Zentrum München -
German Research Center for Environmental Health
Institute of Experimental Genetics
Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1
85764 Neuherberg

Scientists

Dr. rer. nat. Lore Becker	phone: +49 (089) 3187-3282 fax: +49 (089) 3187-3500 e-mail: lore.becker@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Ramona Zeh	phone: +49 (089) 3187-3654 fax: +49 (089) 3187-3500 e-mail: ramona.zeh@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Evelyn Schiller	phone: +49 (089) 3187-3654 fax: +49 (089) 3187-3500 e-mail: evelyn.schiller@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Homepage

http://www.nefo.med.uni-muenchen.de/

http://www.neurogenetik.de

The neurological performance of Mutant Mouse Lines (MMLs) is evaluated in different tests chosen to gain insight into basic neurological functions as well as motor performance. Dependent on the results of the primary screen we perform further tests to confirm and specify neurological impairments. Rotarod tests and footprint analysis as well as a staircase analysis are offered in the secondary screen. In more specialised approaches we perform telemetric EEG measurements for the analysis of paroxysomal neurological disorders as well as electromyographic and electroneurographic analyses. Muscle biopsies are analysed if there is evidence for a myopathy or a mitochondrial disease.

Neurological Examination - Primary screen

SHIRPA: Mice are analysed according to a modified SHIRPA (Smithkline Beecham, MRC Harwell, Imperial College, the Royal London hospital phenotype assessment) protocol where a battery of behavioral tests is carried out (Hatcher et al, 2001). This primary observation screen is proposed as a rapid and semi-quantitative screening method for analysis of abnormal phenotypes in mice. The test parameters contribute to an overall assessment of muscle, motor neuron, spino-cerebellar, sensory and autonomic functions.
Grip Strength: A grip strength meter (TSE; Bad Homburg, Germany) is used to measure the muscle strength in the forelimbs of the mice.
Rotarod: The performance of mutant mice on the Rotarod provides information about motor coordination and balance as well as basic motor learning skills dependant upon the protocol used

Secondary Screen (at least 10 animals per sex and genotype needed)

Stair case test: Skilled reaching movements with the forelimbs are necessary in the staircase test, where the mice have to grasp for food pellets from a narrow staircase. Especially suitable for unilateral brain lesions.
Footprint analysis: Allows the detection of abnormal gait characteristics, e. g. in cerebellar disorders.
Serum lactate measurement: Serves as an indicator of imbalances in energy metabolism

Tertiary Screen (at least 10 animals per genotype needed, for biopsies 5 of each genotype)

Electromyography (EMG), Nerve Conduction, Somatosensible Evoked Potentials (SEP)
Telemetric Electroencephalography (EEG) is performed to record electrical activity of the cerebral cortex.
Histological Techniques (Muscle biopsies)
Quadriceps muscle is dissected from sacrificed mice, and muscle morphology is done using an array of histological and histochemical stains. A particular high value is set on the detection of mitochondrial abnormalities
possible additional examinations

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