HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Effects of Npas4 deficiency on anxiety, depression-like, cognition and sociability behaviour.

Abstract
The transcription factor neuronal PAS domain-containing protein 4 (Npas4), which regulates the formation of inhibitory synapses on excitatory neurons, has been suggested as a candidate gene for neurological and psychiatric conditions such as bipolar depression, autism spectrum and cognitive disorders. A mouse model of Npas4 deficiency has been developed to investigate any role in these disorders. Behavioural characterisation of Npas4(-/-), Npas4(+/-) and Npas4(+/+) mice has been conducted using the open field, elevated zero maze (EZM), Y-maze, sociability test and forced swim test (FST) to investigate a range of behaviours. Npas4(-/-) mice spent more time in the open arm of the EZM than other genotypes, suggesting decreased anxiety-like behaviour. Npas4(+/-) mice, however, were more immobile in the FST than other genotypes, suggesting increased depression-like behaviour, and also showed impaired spatial recognition memory in the Y-maze. There were no differences between genotype in social behaviour. These results suggest that differential levels of Npas4 expression in the brain may regulate anxiety, depression and cognition related disorders.
AuthorsEmily J Jaehne, Thomas S Klarić, Simon A Koblar, Bernhard T Baune, Martin D Lewis
JournalBehavioural brain research (Behav Brain Res) Vol. 281 Pg. 276-82 (Mar 15 2015) ISSN: 1872-7549 [Electronic] Netherlands
PMID25549857 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightCopyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Npas4 protein, mouse
Topics
  • Animals
  • Anxiety (genetics, psychology)
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors (deficiency, genetics)
  • Behavior, Animal (physiology)
  • Cognition (physiology)
  • Depression (genetics, psychology)
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Male
  • Maze Learning (physiology)
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Activity (genetics)
  • Recognition, Psychology
  • Social Behavior
  • Spatial Memory (physiology)
  • Swimming (psychology)

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: