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It is
a good bet that things learned from HD mice will benefit humans. The absolute
proof of human clinical trials with humans takes precious time. Most things
that benefit mice have essentially no harmful side effects and some humans
will take the mouse bet. In the best case it will be a big win. In the worst
case it is break even. We have learned that the neuroprotective lipids in
fish oil given early to mice largely prevent the symptoms of HD. Exercise
also slows HD. Here we have a confirming study that an enriched life also
slows HD. I would bet on the mice and do every thing to prevent and slow
HD but live my life like there are more important things to do. --Jerry
11 Feb 2002
Enriched Life Slows HD
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Environmental enrichment slows disease progression
in R6/2 Huntington's disease mice.
Enrichment also delayed the loss of peristriatal cerebral volume in
R6/2 brains. |
Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder that causes motor dysfunction,
personality changes, dementia, and premature death. There is currently
no effective therapy.
Several transgenic models of Huntington's disease are available, the
most widely used of which is the R6/2 mouse, because of its rapid disease
progression.
Environmental enrichment alters gene expression in the normal mouse brain,
and modulates the course of several neurological disorders. Environmentally
enriched mice may actually mimic human disease more accurately.
We found that even limited environmental enrichment slows decline in
RotaRod performance in R6/2 mice, despite rapid disease progression, whereas
in normal littermates, maximal enrichment was required to induce a marked
improvement in behavioral tests.
Enrichment also delayed the loss of peristriatal cerebral volume in R6/2
brains. These results could provide the basis for a rational approach
to ameliorate the effects of Huntington's disease.
Ann Neurol 2002 Feb;51(2):235-42, Hockly E, Bates GP, et al.
King's College London, UK.
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