Neurovegetative control is altered in transgenic mice expressing the prion protein mutation associated with fatal familial insomnia

Aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that transgenic (Tg) mice carrying the D178N/M129 prion protein mutation linked to fatal familial insomnia (FFI), beside developing severe sleep alterations [Bouybayoune et al, 2015, Plos Pathog, 11(4): e1004796], also develop autonomic dysfunction, a key phenotypic feature of the human disease. To this aim, i) nine Tg(FFI) mice, ii) eight C57BL/6J (wild type) mice, and iii) ten prion protein-deficient (knock out, KO) mice, kept at constant ambient temperature on a 12:12hour light (quiet/sleep):dark (activity/wake) cycle, were instrumented for chronic polygraphic recordings (EEG, activity, ECG) and recorded for 24hours in undisturbed conditions.
Source: Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: P13.1 Source Type: research