Biology Reference
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sensorimotor cortex (
6
). This test was originally described for
functional assessments after unilateral focal cerebral ischemia in
rats (
7
). Then later successfully applied to the (autologous) blood
ICH model in rats (
8
) and mice (
9
), subsequently extended to
models of collagenase ICH in rats (
10
), followed by experimental
studies in mice (
11
).
A useful neurobehavioral test should quickly and easily yield
data which is sensitive to the extent of damage to a specifi c brain
region and the degree to which an intervention may affect this
benefi cially (
6
). Since the recovery of neurological function is
incrementally graded over time and often incomplete, the neu-
robehavioral testing should also be capable of differentiating the
degree of injury and residual impairment (
12, 13
). It is also impor-
tant to avoid the confounding variable of animal learning of strate-
gies to improve performance on the neurobehavioral task, thus
masking the true extent of recovery (
14
). In response to these
considerations, the main strengths of the cylinder test (FUA) are
ease of assessment, low cost, not confounded by learning with
repeated testing, not requiring animal pretraining, high interrater
reliability, and distinguishing between grades of brain injury (
6-8
).
The following sections of this chapter outline the important fea-
tures of this assessment tool and can serve as an instructional guide
for FUA (cylinder) testing.
2. Materials
20 × 30 cm transparent Plexiglas cylinder without top portion (see
Fig.
1
).
2.1. Apparatus
2.2. Video Recording
(Optional for
Experienced
Investigators)
1. Video camera (VHS or digital).
2. Mirror placed to side of cylinder to enable video recording
while animal is turned away from the camera.
3. Video player (VCR or computer program) with slow motion
capabilities.
3. Methods
1. Set-down the cylinder at a quiet location with low-lighting.
2. Fix the video-camera onto a tripod with full view of both the
cylinder and a mirror angled to allow viewing of the opposite
side (optional step for experienced investigators).
3. Place the animal into the cylinder and record the forelimb
usage over a period of up to 10 min, depending on the activity
3.1. Performing
the Test
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