Unique neurophysiologic characteristics of the longest-living rodent:
the naked mole rats
Abstract
Heterocephalus glaber or the naked mole rats(NMRs) belongs to the genus
nude moles of the Bathyergidae family, which is the only kind of
temperature changing mammal with true sociality in the world and shares
93% genetic homology with humans. Long-term subterranean burrowing
living has led to NMRs gradually evolved a series of physiological
characteristics that are significantly different from mammals living on
the ground, such as vitamin D deficiency, sensory organs degeneration
and extreme hypoxia tolerance. Despite the harsh living environment,
NMRs are extremely long-lived. Their average lifespan is 5-7 times that
of laboratorial mice of the same size, up to 30 years. These
physiological characteristics of NMRs giving them a good applicable
prospect when studying neurological related diseases such as pain,
ischemic stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease(AD). Here, we have reviewed the
studies published on the neurophysiological characteristics of NMRs to
provide reference for future research.