Discrimination learning in Rorasg and Grid2ho mutant mice

Rora(sg) mutants with mild cerebellar granule cell degeneration were compared to Grid2(ha) mutants with more severe granule cell degeneration as well as Purkinle cell atrophy for left-right and dark-light discrimination learning tasks in a water-filled T-maze. The acquisition rate of both cerebellar mutants was slowed down during light-dark but not left-right discrimination learning. However, the mutants were impaired in reversal training in both tasks. In contrast, neither mutant differed from controls in passive avoidance learning. These results indicate that mice with cerebellar damage are affected in some instrumental learning tasks and have perseverative tendencies. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.