Myši Lucher v Plzni – ohlédnutí se za 20 lety výzkumu mozečkových degenerací na Ústavu patologické fyziologie

Lurcher mutant mice are one animal model of naturally occurring cerebellar degeneration. The essence of this disorder is the gene mutation that causes virtually the extinction all Purkinje cells and substantial portions of granular cells in the cerebral cortex and a significant number of inferior olive neurons. This leads to complete functional elimination of the cerebral cortex and regulation of all the nerve processes the cerebellum normally performs. The involvement of our laboratory in research using this model began at the Department of Physiology University College London in 1995–96 where we also obtained Lurcher mice of the C3H strain. Further scientific cooperation with a number of European laboratories continued with our involvement in the COST Program of the EU in Neuroscience. As part of this collaboration, we also received Lurcher mice of the B6CBA strain from the University of Brussels. The aim of our effort was first to identify the extent to which the cerebellum is involved in higher nervous activity, i.e. cognitive and other functions. In ontogenetically focused research, we used the whole array of methodological procedures to examine learning, memory, motor functions and emotional behavior. Electrophysiological examination of the brain also contributed to significant findings, followed by variously conceived microscopic procedures. The results clearly demonstrated that the cerebellum plays a significant role in cognitive function and also that, despite the neurological impairment, the affected animals are able to learn to some extent and improve their motor skills with training. The finding that the neurodegenerative process also affected immune and endocrine functions was very important, confirming the concept of unity of the psycho-neuroendocrine-immune system. Despite the problematic transfer of some experimental findings to human medicine, it must be emphasized that some findings can be applied to humans. The fact is that neurodefects and their impact may be positively affected and that (forced) physical activity improves not only motor skills, but also learning and memory. Additionally, these processes notably delayed the signs of aging.