The Vibrissae-Elicited Forelimb Placing Test After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Rodents - Animal Models of Acute Neurological Injuries: Injury and Mechanistic Assessments - page 659

3.2. Tabulating
the Behavior

Record the number of successful placing from ten trials of each
forelimb (ipsilateral and contralateral to side of injury).

FP score: (number of successful placing of impaired
forelimb) × 10

3.3. Calculating the FP
Score ( 10 )

3.4. Presenting
the Result

1. Y-axis : FP score
2. X-axis : animal group (e.g., sham, vehicle, treatment, etc.) or
time-point

4. Notes

4.1. When to Perform
the Test

1. Both rats and mice will demonstrate forelimb placing defi cits
within the fi rst 24 h after injury.
2. Rats have forelimb placing defi cits over the fi rst 24-72 h after
injury, and will recover by 10 weeks after collagenase injection
( 12 ).
3. Residual defi cits are present 12 weeks after injury in the (autol-
ogous) blood injection model ( 14 ).
4. The time of recovery for mice has not been tested beyond 1 day
after ICH in the (autologous) blood injection model ( 11 ).

1. Place the rodent upon the table-top and gently handle it until
the animal relaxes to examiner's touch.
2. The thumb and forefi nger need to confi dently secure the sides
of the head, and the palm should be placed into light contact
with the dorsal aspect of the animal torso.
3. The examiner's middle and ring fi ngers should wrap around
the anterior aspect of the animal rib-cage, trapping the fore-
limb which is not being tested underneath securely and out of
the way.
4. The opposite hand can be used to support the hind-limbs and
secure the animal's body during testing.

4.2. Rat Handling
(Fig. 1 )

4.3. Mouse Handling
(Fig. 2 )

1. The animal may be initially anxious, due to transport of the
cage or handling of cage mates, so begin by allowing a few
moments for the animal to calm down, before restraint for the
placement exercise.
2. Place the animal onto a cage top or food hopper/grate so it
has something to grab onto and less likely to jerk, move or
bite.
3. With one hand: grasp the mouse by the tail until it grips and
extends to get away from your grip, this will allow better