​(Fig.2D).2D). However, no significant effect of genotype (F(1,162) = 0.013; P = 0.910) or interaction (F(9,162) = 1.273; P = 0.256) was found. Motor skill retention was assessed using four additional trials for 24 h following the training sessions. In this paradigm, no significant differences were found between the latency to falling during Trial 10 (Day 1) and Trial 11 (Day 2) for B6eGFPChAT or B6 control mice (two-way repeated measures ANOVA F(1,18)

Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical = 0.201; P = 0.659). Similarly, no genotype effect on performance was observed during the four trials performed during Day 2 (F(1,54) = 0.366; P = 0.553) (Fig. ​(Fig.2D).2D). Taken together, these data suggest that B6eGFPChAT mice have maintained motor function and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical learning compared with B6 control mice, and that elevated VAChT-mediated ACh vesicular packaging as observed in B6eGFPChAT mice is not sufficient to improve these normal motor functions. B6eGFPChAT mice display spontaneous hypoactivity in a home cage environment Given the role

of cholinergic neurons in the regulation of muscle activity through central and peripheral innervation, Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical we sought to determine whether increased VAChT expression influences spontaneous locomotor activity. Through the monitoring of locomotor activity over a 24 h period, B6eGFPChAT mice were found to exhibit hypoactivity during both their light (t(14) = 2.205; P = 0.045) and dark cycles (t(14) = 3.823; P = 0.002) (Fig. ​(Fig.3A).3A). High-resolution analysis of the locomotor activity exposed a significant genotype factor when analyzed by repeated measures two-way ANOVA Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical (F(1,658) = 4.660; P = 0.049) (Fig. ​(Fig.3B).3B). Bonferroni

post-test revealed that the B6eGFPChAT mice displayed selleck significantly less activity during the biphasic diurnal activity peaks typically exhibited by rodents at ~2100 and 0430 h (Fig. ​(Fig.3B).3B). We further evaluated physiological function and tone through the assessment of respiratory characteristics Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical that are associated with physical activity. Using two-way repeated measures ANOVA, we found that there was no significant genotype effect during the assessment of RER (F(1,658) = 2.105; P = 0.169) (Fig. ​(Fig.3C),3C), heat (F(1,658) = 0.502; P = 0.491) (Fig. ​(Fig.3D),3D), volume of oxygen (VO2) (F(1,658) = 0.418; P = 0.528) (Fig. ​(Fig.3E),3E), and volume of carbon dioxide (VCO2) (F(1,658) = 0.038; P = 0.848) (Fig. ​(Fig.3F).3F). Considering the time points where statistically significant decreases in activity and occurred (between 2030 and 2300 h), a corresponding statistically significant decrease in VO2 in B6eGFPChAT mice (F(1,70) = 5.784; P = 0.031) (Fig. ​(Fig.3E)3E) was observed. These results show that B6eGFPChAT mice are spontaneously hypoactive in familiar environments and that locomotion under these conditions is dependent on the expression of VAChT. Figure 3 Spontaneous activity and indirect calorimetry of B6eGFPChAT mice.