EEG Phenotyping of Cortical Function in the Mouse

P.I.:  Jeffrey L. Noebels, M.D.,Ph.D.

Lab:  Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory

Location:

Department of Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX, 77030

Description:  Our laboratory has extensive experience in EEG analysis of awake and behaving mutant mice. The cortical EEG can detect the presence of seizure activity, and determine whether episodic motor behaviors represent seizures or other non-epileptic movement disorders. Analysis of background EEG oscillations may be helpful in understanding altered cognitive and exploratory behavior performance. In some cases, the EEG may consititute a gene-linked CNS phenotype with no other obvious abnormality present.

Example:  See representative videos of mouse recordings

Screening Protocol:  We are interested in screening mutant mice for EEG phenotypes. We typically look at two affected and two unaffected littermates. Mice are implanted and recorded using digital video/EEG for 2-3 days or until a specific behavioral event is captured. We can then compare these data with recordings from over 250 other mutants in the database, and make a preliminary assessment regarding the EEG phenotype. Mice older than 20 days are used routinely. Interesting mice are subject to further study, and may be monitored using depth recordings of selected brain regions, including hippocampus.

Contact:  If interested, please email Jeffrey L. Noebels, M.D.,Ph.D. with a brief description of the project.

Selected References:

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2. Noebels J.L. et al. Persistent hypersynchronization of neocortical neurons in the Mocha mutant mouse. Journal of Neurogenetics 1989 6:53-56.

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8. Kash S.F. et al. Epilepsy in mice deficient in the 65Kd isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65). PNAS (USA) 1997 94:14060-14065.

9. Pennacchio L.A. et al. Progressive ataxia, myoclonic epilepsy, and cerebellar apoptosis in cystatin B-deficient mice. Nature Genetics 1998 20: 251-258.

10. Jiang Y.H. et al. Mutation of the Angelman E3 ubiquitin ligase in mice causes increased cytoplasmic p53 and deficits of contextual learning and long term potentiation. Neuron 1998 21: 799-811.

11. Sutherland M.L. et al. Overexpression of an invertebrate Shaker-type potassium channel in the mammalian CNS dysregulates native potassium channel gene expression. PNAS (USA) 1999 96: 2451-2455.

12 . Liu, M. et al. Beta2/NeuroD is required for formation of the dentate gyrus. PNAS (USA) 2000 97:865-870