Investigators Examine Unusual Stride Patterns in Mice Suffering from Angelman Syndrome
In a pioneering study published in Autism Research, a team of scholars from the University of California Davis School of Medicine discovered that gait analyses could offer valuable insights into the development, regression, progression, and decline of Angelman syndrome in individuals, unaffected by confounding factors.
The study, led by Megan R. Warr and collaborators including Britton R. Sankar, involved meticulous analyses of walking patterns in Angelman model mice. The mice were prompted to walk or run on a treadmill and were recorded with a strategically placed camera. The videos were then processed and analyzed via a computer to objectively assess differences in gait patterns over time and space.
The results were remarkable. Gait differences between Angelman and wild-type mice were evident from weaning age and persisted throughout their lifespans. Angelman mice took fewer, longer steps compared to wild-type mice, which may reflect the need to 'run' to maintain speed on the treadmill. Additionally, the Angelman mice tended to have wider stances while walking, indicating potential balance issues.
The researchers concluded that gait is a versatile quantitative outcome measure with potential in Angelman research. They proposed that gait assessments could be a useful measure for evaluating potential treatments for Angelman. Furthermore, they suggested that gait analyses could be a reliable, translational assay for Angelman research, as motor development in both mice and humans is similar, implying that findings in mice could be relevant for humans.
The study's findings suggest that gait analysis has great potential for use in therapeutic evaluation. Further research could identify the specific parameters in mouse gait that may be most relevant for effects in humans. This could lead to the development of more targeted and effective treatments for Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder that nearly all affected individuals develop motor problems, which may include tremors, spasticity, and lack of coordination, causing difficulties or abnormalities in walking.
The researchers hope that their findings will pave the way for future studies using gait analysis as a tool in Angelman syndrome research, ultimately leading to improved understanding and treatment of this debilitating condition.
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