Characterizing Gait in Young Male 5xFAD Mice

Gait control represents a non-cognitive domain that is affected negatively during late stages of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD Related Dementias (ADRDs). In some cases, early identification can be predictive of worsened cognitive function. Prompt detection could help define intervention windows, perhaps even years prior to formal diagnosis of dementia. In this study, the locomotor function of 3-month-old male 5xFAD mice was evaluated using several variables (speed, deviance from center, paw precision index, stride length, stride length deviation, and stride time) to characterize the change in ambulatory behavior prior to the onset of cognitive decline. The data presented here show no significant change in measures of gait behaviors between the 5XFAD mice and the controls. Gait behavior measures obtained were selected to parallel those used in the clinic (i.e. GAITRite®). Future studies will evaluate the dysregulation of locomotor function longitudinally in the same mouse model at 6, 9, and 12 months of age.