LOCAL CEREBRAL GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION IN THE AS AGU RAT - A MUTANT WITH MOVEMENT-DISORDERS/

The AS/AGU mutant rat is characterized by a wide staggering gait and a movement disorder of the hindlimbs. Local cerebral glucose utilizatio n in the brain was investigated using the [C-14]2-deoxyglucose autorad iographic technique to map any functional alterations in the mutant AS /AGU (agu/agu) compared with Albino Swiss controls (+/+). Locomotor te sts were also performed to confirm the phenotypic assignment of the an imals. Statistically significant reductions in glucose utilization wer e apparent in 12 of the 44 regions examined in the AS/AGU animals. The regions showing the most significant differences (P < 0.01) from the control AS strain were the substantia nigra pars compacta (-23%) and m edial geniculate body (-17%). Statistically significant decreases (P < 0.05 and P < 0.02) in glucose utilization ranging from -15 to -26% we re also displayed in the superior colliculus superficial layer, audito ry cortex, ventroposterior nucleus of the thalamus, molecular layer of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, medial amygdaloid nucleus, median rap he nucleus, subthalamic nucleus, medial preoptic area of the hypothala mus and anterior hypothalamus. In no region studied was the mean value of glucose use in the AS/AGU rat greater than in the control animals. The results of this study complement previous behavioural and neuroch emical characterization studies of this mutant, confirm that the disor der involves functional disturbances of the basal ganglia, and demonst rate the involvement of the limbic system and some sensory systems.