Responses to Environmental Enrichment Differ with Sex and Genotype in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009077
• Publication Date: 2010-02-11T18:21:35Z
• Authors: Nigel I. Wood; Valentina Carta; Stefan Milde; Elizabeth A. Skil...; Catherine J. McAl...; Y.L. Mabel Ang; Alasdair Duguid; Nadeev Wijesuriya; Samira Mohd Afzal; Joe X. Fernandes; T.W. Leong; Jennifer Morton
• Keywords: Environmental Enrichment

Background Environmental enrichment (EE) in laboratory animals improves neurological function and motor/cognitive performance, is proposed as a strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. EE has been investigated the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease (HD), where increased social interaction, sensory stimulation, exploration, physical activity improved survival. We have also shown previously that HD patients mice disrupted circadian rhythms, treatment which may improve cognition, general health, Methodology/Principal Findings examined effects on behavioral phenotype mice. Our are typically housed an “enriched” environment, so received was addition to these enhanced housing conditions. Mice were either kept their home cages or exposed daily (a large playground box containing running wheels other toys). The “home cage” “playground” groups subdivided into “handling” (stimulated throughout experimental period) “no-handling” groups. All assessed survival, body weight, cognitive performance Morris water maze (MWM). more active period than cage Furthermore, EE/no-handling had better survival those cage/no-handling Sex differences seen response EE. Handling detrimental female mice, but weight male WT handling group. combined with significantly MWM female, not male, Conclusions/Significance show even when living enriched cage, further beneficial effects. However, improvements cognition vary sex genotype. These results indicate quality life patients, we suggest therapy should be tailored individuals.