Mice devoid of prion protein have cognitive deficits that are rescued by reconstitution of PrP in neurons.

Prion protein (PrP(C)) is a constituent of most normal mammalian cells and plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). However, the normal cellular function of PrP(C) remains unclear. Here, we document that mice with a selective deletion of PrP(C) exhibited deficits in hippocampal-dependent spatial learning, but non-spatial learning remained intact.

Age-independent and age-related deficits in visuospatial learning, sleep-wake states, thermoregulation and motor activity in PDAPP mice.

Recent studies demonstrated that mice overexpressing the human mutant beta-amyloid precursor protein (hbetaAPP; PDAPP mice) show age-independent and age-related deficits in spatial learning. We used behavioral and electrophysiological techniques to determine in young and aged PDAPP mice whether deficits in spatial learning also involve alterations in sleep-wake states, thermoregulation and motor activity. Consistent with earlier studies, young PDAPP mice exhibited selective age-independent deficits using spatial, but not random and serial strategies in the circular maze.