Abstract
Lurcher mutant mouse is a natural model of hereditary cerebellar degeneration which is caused by a mutation in the δ2 glutamate receptor encoding gene. Heterozygous Lurcher mice suffer from virtually complete loss of Purkinje cells and the degeneration of cerebellar interneurons, deep cerebellar nuclei and inferior olive neurons.
Progressive cerebellar degeneration in Lurcher mice affects motor and cognitive functions, as well as emotional processing and behavior.