Mark William Johnson

Dr. Mark William Johnson

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 April 2023 in Brain Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JSJonah Scott-McKean
Jonah Scott-McKean
RJRyan Jones
Ryan Jones
MJMark William Johnson
Mark William Johnson
Joyce MierJoyce Mier
Joyce Mier
IBInes Basten
Ines Basten
Alberto CostaAlberto Costa
Alberto Costa
Down syndrome (DS), which results from the complete or partial trisomy of chromosome 21 (trisomy-21), is the most common genetically defined cause of intellectual disability. Trisomy-21 also produces, or is associated with, many neurodevelopmental phenotypes and neurological comorbidities, including delays and deficits in fine and gross motor development. The Ts65Dn mouse is the most studied animal model for DS and displays the largest known subset of DS-like phenotypes. To date, however, only a small number of developmental phenotypes have been quantitatively defined in these animals. Here, we used a commercially available high-speed, video-based system to record and analyze the gait of Ts65Dn and euploid control mice. Longitudinal treadmill recordings were performed from p17 to p35. One of the main findings was the detection of genotype- and sex-dependent developmental delays in the emergence of consistent, progressive-intensity gait in Ts65Dn mice when compared to control mice. Gait dynamic analysis showed wider normalized front and hind stances in Ts65Dn mice compared to control mice, which may reflect deficits in dynamic postural balance. Ts65Dn mice also displayed statistically significant differences in the variability in several normalized gait measures, which were indicative of deficits in precise motor control in generating gait.