Decreased spinal cord cGMP in murine (wobbler) spontaneous lower motor neuron degeneration

B. R. Brooks, W. D. Lust, J. M. Andrews and W. K. Engel

Of the secondary messengers, cyclic quanosine monophosphate, but not cyclic adenosine monophosphate, was reduced by 80% in the cervical spinal cord and by 56% in the cerebellum of clinically affected homozygote "wobbler" mice compared to sex- and age-matched litter-mate clinically unaffected control mice. A neurotransmitter, gamma aminobutyric acid, and high-energy intermediates, adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine, were not significantly different in affected or unaffected mice.