Fine motor function deficits in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

9-month 5xFAD mice displayed mild motor coordination deficits on the rotarod test compared to age-matched wild-type mice.

• 9M 5xFAD mice spent less time on the rod than 9M WT mice.
• 9M 5xFAD mice fell at lower speeds than 9M WT mice.
• Motor coordination deficits were described as 'mild' and observed in an age-dependent manner.
• Comparisons were made across 3-month and 9-month timepoints for both 5xFAD and WT groups.

9-month 5xFAD mice exhibited significantly slower traversal times on the balance beam test compared to other groups.

• 9M 5xFAD mice showed 'significantly slower traversal times compared to other groups.'
• 9M 5xFAD mice demonstrated frequent foot slips and dragging behavior.
• Effects were more pronounced on the narrower beam, indicating sensitivity to task difficulty.
• The balance beam test assessed fine motor precision and coordination.

9-month 5xFAD mice showed impaired forelimb dexterity in the single-pellet reaching test.

• 9M 5xFAD mice had reduced success rates compared to other groups.
• 9M 5xFAD mice showed slower reaching speed than the other groups.
• The single-pellet reaching test was used specifically to assess fine limb movements and forelimb dexterity.
• Impairments were described as 'impaired fine limb movements' in an age-dependent manner.

Motor impairments in the 5xFAD model were age-dependent, with 9-month mice showing greater deficits than 3-month mice.

• The study examined age-related changes from 3 months (3M) to 9 months (9M) of age.
• 9M 5xFAD mice exhibited the most impaired performance at each assay across all groups.
• 3M 5xFAD mice were implicitly less impaired, consistent with an age-dependent progression.
• The age-dependent pattern was observed across all three behavioral tests: rotarod, balance beam, and single-pellet reaching.

The 5xFAD transgenic mouse model was used to study fine motor skills using a battery of three behavioral tests across a 3- to 9-month age range.

• Tests included the rotarod (motor coordination and balance), balance beam test (fine motor precision and coordination), and single-pellet reaching test (forelimb dexterity).
• Age groups tested were 3 months and 9 months.
• Both transgenic 5xFAD and wild-type (WT) mice were included as comparison groups.
• The study design allowed detection of both genotype effects and age-related progression of motor deficits.

AD-related pathology in the 5xFAD model was associated with motor dysfunction extending beyond memory and cognition to include fine motor skills.

• The authors conclude that 'accumulation of the underlying AD-related pathology affects motor function, extending even to fine motor skills.'
• AD involves not only progressive memory and cognition deficits but also motor impairments including disturbed balance, activity levels, and gait dysfunction.
• Fine motor deficits add to the known spectrum of motor impairments in the 5xFAD model.
• Results were interpreted as consistent with progressive amyloid and tau pathology accumulation over time in the 5xFAD model.