Assessment of Cognitive and Sensorimotor Defi cits - Animal Models of Acute Neurological Injuries: Injury and Mechanistic Assessments - page 234

2. Righting ability

Procedure . If using a video camera to assist with offl ine
scoring, start the recording. Place the animal on its back
and release while starting the stopwatch.

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Variables measured . Record the time required to return to
its feet (10 s maximum).

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● Data interpretation . Most animals will return to their feet
very quickly. Animals that cannot return to a prone posi-
tion by ~10 s are most likely severely impaired and should
probably not be subjected to further behavioral testing.
3. Beam balance

Procedure . If using a video camera to assist with offl ine
scoring, start the recording. Place the animal on the middle
of the beam (counterbalance left facing and right facing)
and start the stopwatch.

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Variables measured . Record the total distance moved (using
the ears as the “marker” for the number line labels),
number of foot placement errors, and the latency to fall off
the beam (60 s maximum).

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● Data interpretation . Performance on this test refl ects
sensorimotor coordination and balance. Performance
improvements with each trial represent motor learning.
4. Footfall

Procedure . If using a video camera to assist with offl ine
scoring, start the recording. Place the animal on the middle
of the apparatus and start the stopwatch.

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Variables measured . Record the number of times each limb
falls through over a 1-min period.

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● Data interpretation . Performance on this test refl ects
sensorimotor coordination. Performance improvements
with each trial represent motor learning.
5. Inclined plane

Procedure . If using a video camera to assist with offl ine
scoring, start the recording. Elevate the apparatus to 5°
and place the animal at the top with its head facing up.
Start the stopwatch and lift the apparatus at a rate of
10°/s.

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Variables measured . Record the angle at which the animal
starts to slip or fall.

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Data interpretation . Performance on this test refl ects sen-
sorimotor coordination, with an emphasis on hind limb
strength.

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