Functional alterations in the olfactory bulb of the staggerer mutant mouse

Putative alterations of the functional activity in the staggerer mutant mou se olfactory bulb neuronal network have been studied by recording odor indu ced evoked field potentials (EFP) in the mitral cells layer. In standard co nditions, the main feature observed in mutants was a significant increase i n: latency preceding the functional response of the mitral cells to the odo rant. In these animals, all parameters of the average EFP were widely modif ied when compared with those-recorded in wild mice. Amplitudes and most of the duration of the EFP phases were significantly decreased. Functional alt erations were discussed according to the structural disorganization previou sly described in staggerer mutant mouse olfactory bulb. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.