Harmaline-Induced Tremor in Mice: Videotape Documentation and Open Questions About the Model. (9th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Melody M.; Tang, Guomei; Kuo, Sheng-Han
• Editors: Louis, Elan D.
• Is Part Of: Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements. Volume 3(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-12-09
• Subjects: Essential tremor -- harmaline -- mouse -- cerebellum -- inferior olive; Tremor -- Periodicals; Hyperkinesia -- Periodicals; 616.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-8288

Abstract

Background: Harmaline-induced tremor in rodents has been extensively used as an animal model for essential tremor (ET). However, there is no visual documentation in the published literature. Methods: We injected mice subcutaneously with either 20 mg/kg of harmaline hydrochloride or saline and then videotaped the responses. Results: Action and postural tremor in the mouse began 5 minutes after subcutaneous harmaline injection and peaked at approximately 30 minutes. The tremor involved the head, trunk, tail, and four limbs and lasted for approximately 2 hours. The forelimb tremor was postural or action tremor, similar to that observed in ET. Discussion: This video segment provides the first visual documentation of the phenomenology of harmaline-induced tremor in a mouse. We also raise several unanswered questions regarding the use of harmaline-induced tremor to model ET.