Back to Search Start Over

Increased thirst and drinking in Huntington's disease and the R6/2 mouse

Increased thirst and drinking in Huntington's disease and the R6/2 mouse

Authors :
Wood, Nigel I.
Goodman, Anna O.G.
van der Burg, Jorien M.M.
Gazeau, Véronique
Brundin, Patrik
Björkqvist, Maria
Petersén, Åsa
Tabrizi, Sarah J.
Barker, Roger A.
Jennifer Morton, A.
Source :
Brain Research Bulletin. May2008, Vol. 76 Issue 1/2, p70-79. 10p.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

Abstract: While Huntington''s disease (HD) is a condition that primarily involves the basal ganglia, there is evidence to suggest that the hypothalamus is also affected. Because the osmoreceptors regulating thirst are situated in the circumventricular region of the hypothalamus, we were interested in whether altered thirst is a part of the HD phenotype. We used the LABORAS behavioural monitoring system and water consumption to show that drinking behaviour was abnormal in R6/2 mice. By 10 weeks of age, R6/2 mice spent significantly more time drinking and drank a greater volume than their wild-type (WT) littermates. The numbers of immunoreactive vasopressin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus in R6/2 mice were significantly decreased from 8 weeks of age, suggesting that the change in drinking behaviour may be the result of hypothalamic dysfunction. We gave a xerostomia (dry mouth) questionnaire to HD patients and control subjects, and also measured their urine osmolality and serum vasopressin. The mean total xerostomia score was significantly higher in HD patients than in controls, indicating greater thirst in HD patients. Urine osmolality was unaffected in HD patients up to clinical stage III, and none of the patients had diabetes. However, serum vasopressin was increased, suggesting a dysregulation in the control of hypothalamic vasopressin release. A dry mouth can affect taste, mastication and swallowing, all of which may contribute to the significant weight loss seen in both HD patients and R6/2 mice, as can dehydration. We suggest that increased thirst may be an important and clinically relevant biomarker for the study of disease progression in HD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
03619230
Volume :
76
Issue :
1/2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Brain Research Bulletin
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
31559129
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2007.12.007