I-00137 Rome, Italy.
Mice are a much smaller sized mammalian species than rats, thus more suitable for space missions.
In addition, male NGF and BDNF levels in several brain areas were assessed. Results showed a clear decrease in spontaneous activity both during and immediately after the rotation, confirming that mice experienced motion sickness as a consequence of being subjected to these rotational stimuli. Sex differences emerged in pica behaviour, with females eating more kaolin than males regardless of the rotational exposure. Moreover, NGF levels, but not BDNF, were affected by hypergravity conditions with a significant increase in several brain areas such as frontal cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus. Our preliminary study suggests that mouse may be a suitable species to investigate MS syndrome as well as general adaptive responses to altered gravitational stimuli.