Spontaneous alternation and habituation in Purkinje cell degeneration mutant mice.

Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutant mice were found to be as active as normal mice in a T-maze. The pcd mutants, contrary to normal mice, did not alternate spontaneously in either a 2-trial or a 4-trial test. Results are discussed in terms of a role for the cerebellum in behavioral inhibition and visuo-spatial organization.