Mutations in the X-linked gene encoding Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) cause the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, a common genetic cause of mental retardation in females. Although alterations in performance of MeCP2-deficient mice in specific behavioural tasks have been documented, it remains unclear if, and to what degree, MeCP2 dysfunction affects patterns of periodic behavioural and electroencephalographic activity. To address this, we monitored daily rhythmic patterns of core body temperature, gross motor activity, and cortical delta power from MeCP2-deficient mice and correlated it against regional MeCP2 expression levels. Our results show that normal daily rhythmic behavioural patterning of delta wave activity, body temperature and mobility are disrupted in these mice. Moreover, MeCP2-deficient mice displayed lower average core body temperature and significantly greater body temperature fluctuation than wild-type female mice. Finally, we also found that epileptiform discharge activity in MeCP2-deficient mice is more predominant during times of behavioural activity compared to inactivity.

Mutations in the X-linked gene encoding Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) cause the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, a common genetic cause of mental retardation in females. Although alterations in performance of MeCP2-deficient mice in specific behavioural tasks have been documented, it remains unclear if, and to what degree, MeCP2 dysfunction affects patterns of periodic behavioural and electroencephalographic activity. To address this, we monitored daily rhythmic patterns of core body temperature, gross motor activity, and cortical delta power from MeCP2-deficient mice and correlated it against regional MeCP2 expression levels. Our results show that normal daily rhythmic behavioural patterning of delta wave activity, body temperature and mobility are disrupted in these mice. Moreover, MeCP2-deficient mice displayed lower average core body temperature and significantly greater body temperature fluctuation than wild-type female mice. Finally, we also found that epileptiform discharge activity in MeCP2-deficient mice is more predominant during times of behavioural activity compared to inactivity.