Genetically altered mice bear some hallmarks of human bipolar behavior
Specifically, the mice lacked the protein ankyrin-G, in particular neurons in the brain, a defect that appears to make the animals both hyperactive and less fearful, a behavioral profile suggestive of a mania-like state for a mouse. At the same time, the rodents had an even greater response to social defeat stress than normal mice do, suggesting their brains also are more susceptible to a depressive-like state. Human bipolar disease is characterized by swings in "manic" and "depressive" moods. In a report on the mouse studies, published online Sept. 11 in PNAS ( Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America ), the investigators say the genetic alteration appears to release the biochemical "brakes" on brain cells involved in body movement, reasoning and perception of the world, triggering over-excited activity and reactions. The results of their work, the researchers say, may advance scientific understanding of how ...