Silencing of murine transthyretin and retinol binding protein genes has distinct and shared behavioral and neuropathologic effects.

•Only transthyretin carries serum retinol binding protein but mice lacking Ttr or Rbp4 genes show discrete abnormal behaviors.•Both strains show cortical and hippocampal neuronal loss and gliosis with more marked changes in the mice lacking RBP.•Both strains show marked reductions in proliferating (PCNA+) neuroblast (DCX+) cells in the supraventricular zone.•Despite adequate adult T4 and vitamin A levels the brains resemble those of mice lacking the molecules developmentally.