我们想从使命联系，TIRR基金会（CES和ZZK），克雷格尼尔森基金会（CES）和美国国家科学基金会研究生研究奖学金的项目确认的资金（批准＃：2011112479下垂）。

所有动物的程序均按照与内部IACUC在得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校，并根据国家卫生研究院（NIH）的指导方针批准的方案进行。 在本研究中使用的动物具有利用无穷水平撞击或C3/C4横向半切模型和这些方法可更广泛地向其他模型18施加一个侧向C3/C4挫伤损伤。我们建议研究人员测试动物2周前受伤，后3天伤，并定期（ 如每周一次）为研究对象的持续时间。当在手术后的动物进行行为测试，特别是在3天手术后，必须小心的动物已经从手术恢复的足够的，而行为测试过程不导致额外的疼痛或应力的动物。 在一般情况下，2〜3周的处理和预测试，可能需要在手术前。这涉及获得该动物的舒适的测试环境被处理它们以类似的方式对它们如何测试以及允许动物自由走动的测试表面时将被处理。同样重要的是要习惯被保持的动物，这可以通过使动物上和附近的检测面在非直接运动到驯化的动物来处理完成。同样重要的是放松的动物在开始和在测试之间的会话。放松的动物，抱在桌面上的动物前肢只轴承的立场，在“独轮车”的位置，轻轻弹开动物在桌面上，允许前肢触摸表面。这教动物感觉到他们下面有一个稳定的表面，并在过程中的一个重要和必要的步骤，因为它确保了动物放宽测试开始之前。 1。前肢步交替测试<ol><li> 测试总结：将动物与两个前肢触摸桌面以确定它们是否交替使用它们的前肢。将大鼠前进，转移其重心，迫使他们试图一步。该测试被重复四次，每次动物，如果交替时，或超过75％以上的动物表演能力，它被认为是一个交流发电机。这是一种强制运动的任务，从而使被认为是不可发电机动物将具有相同的前肢反复步骤。 </li><li>保持桌面上的动物在一个前肢只负重的立场，在“独轮车”的位置与自己的身体在近90°从表中。 </li><li>一旦动物出现放松，推动动物着沿台面的表面移动。 </li><li>确定并记录大鼠交替是否使用前肢，而在表面上移动。 </li><li>注意并记录发起的运动，以及是否对动物可以替代或不是O前肢n个前肢步交替考试成绩表（提供）。 </li><li>重复此测试至少两次，同时保持动物用一只手（右手或左手）。重复至少两次再次握住动物在另一方面。 </li><li>如果大鼠显示了这种能力，逐步交替可再次由所述第一步骤确定后引入一个5秒的等待测试，如果交替模式仍然是一个延迟之后。请注意，在评分表的结果和记录。 </li><li>此试验可每天使用，因此建议对动物进行至少每周一次测试的重复测量实验。 </li></ol> 注意：交替实验者的手的位置，因为它可能会影响测试动物的交替行为是重要的。提供的步骤，交替得分表可以使用时要注意爪子的位置，并加强过程中使用。虽然我们并没有包括这些数据输入到我们的评分系统目前（我们只有使用交替状态组在目前的研究中损毁的动物），用户可以很容易地包括爪子位置数据作为视具体项目分析的一部分。 2。姿势不稳测试<ol><li> 测试总结：对于此行为测试，按住鼠在类似位置的前肢交替试验，但是，每个前肢应单独进行测试。桌面上应覆盖砂纸（220号），以防止打滑，斜撑，或前肢的测试过程中拖动。 <ol><li>在本试验中，它需要对动物采取与被检查的前肢的步骤，以恢复其平衡的距离将被记录。 </li><li>在一个研究组的动物应该是大约在体重相同的重量，大小和年龄大的差异可导致变异在需要保持重心对于给定的动物19的基线距离。一个假手术组应在使用PIT，以确认行为的改​​变是由于再生或恢复，而不是年龄和体重的增加包括在内。 </li></ol></li><li>保持桌面上的动物在一个舒适的姿态，让两个前肢到达表面，动物应该是舒适的“独轮车”的位置与自己的身体在近90°从表中。需要注意的是它以保持动物在一个更垂直的位置是很重要的。这将允许触发一个步骤需要一个更一致的距离，以重新获得的重心。 </li><li>轻轻抑制1前肢对动物的躯干和与零线对准大鼠的鼻子从上方观察。 </li><li>将大鼠前进。这将转移重心正向刺激动物的步骤，以恢复其平衡动物的中心。 </li><li>记录大鼠步骤后鼻子的新位置两次，并根据需要的距离来触发一个步骤中使用的这两个步骤的平均值。 </li><li>测试每个foreliMB独立的5倍，使动物回到0的位置，并确定该动物仍然继续，以确保一致的结果之前放宽实验者的手。 </li><li>记录上的姿势不稳测试（PIT）评分表，提供。此测试可以每天进行，因此建议将动物测试至少每周为实验的持续时间。 </li></ol> 3。面食处理测试<ol><li> 测试总结：使用此测试，以确定它需要一个面食为主食的会议期间吃了一块面食和爪子偏好的时间。在这个测试中，使用干面食4.0厘米股（薄面条，直径约为1.6毫米）。该试验应该在大约相同的时间每个测试天给药。啮齿动物通常吃干面食容易，但是，4-6小时的食物撤回建议测试前，如果这种情况不会发生。 </li><li>基线测量之前，应先获得1-2周损伤。此前基线记录，鼠应给予他们家笼同类型的面食让他们做好准备进行测试。然后，让老鼠吃面食在测试室，并记录吃面食的时间。面食片应置于测试室，在这里使用前肢可以容易地观察到的前部附近。每个面食为主食的会议应该包括至少吃三片面食。大鼠被认为是精通吃面食，如果他们的面食为主食的时间是至少3天是一致的。 </li><li>训练后的大鼠始终如一地吃面食在测试室中，放置老鼠在录音室。 </li><li>将意大利面片上的检测室和记录时间前在地面附近吃了一块面食，用前肢，和前肢的位置，看到的意大利面处理得分表。 </li><li>这个测试可以每天进行，但建议每周​​执行它同时观察动物的体重为tØ不要过度喂养动物。 </li></ol> 注：意大利面处理分数表提供空间来记录时间吃面食和爪子的使用，类似于纳入本研究中的数据。我们还包括区域面食吃的会话，如爪的位置时，记录爪子使用额外的细节。

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没有利益冲突的声明。

颈脊髓损伤（CSCI）可导致患者破坏性和生活改变的伤害。有许多用来学习神经基质和治疗剂的可塑性在啮齿类动物中开发的颈脊髓损伤模型。发展灵敏，有效，可重复的和易于使用的行为测试，以评估功能缺损及恢复后CSCI是一个重要的目标。在这里，我们详细描述了使用三个这样的行为测试：四肢交替，姿势不稳和面食处理。 脊髓损伤的啮齿类动物，如人口，是一种异质性的伤害。一个非常类似的损伤可诱导多种行为缺陷的。因此，为了确定病变的受伤动物的严重程度是很重要的。我们发现，四肢交替的任务是确定一个非常有效的方法，如果对侧侧单侧损伤（半切或续后损坏延髓型损伤）的脊髓型颈椎病19。我们小组的数据表明，使用这种肢体交替任务可以伤后的第一个星期内确定损伤的严重程度。另外，更严重受伤的动物（非交流发电机）有显著不同采收分布相比，交流发电机（使用前肢的运动尺度）。因此，肢交替任务是在受伤大鼠分组到交流发电机和非发电机极其有用，尤其是当这项研究包括慢性治疗，以确保有病变的严重性的每个治疗组中平均分配。 建议在具有可研究利用动物前肢（如前肢的运动尺度或气缸爪子偏爱试验）其它任务的组合的前肢，交替试验中使用。而施用该测试是非常重要的实验者进行的测试次数相同每手（ 如两次用左手，并两次与右），以减低对大鼠行为实验者手的位置的影响。这个测试是唯一有效的，如果动物被放宽实验者的手，在2-3周的处理建议应给予放宽。进一步，一旦动物是放松的，实验者应保持动物接近90°的独轮车位置，以防止内动物的变化。 前肢-交替测试也可以提供洞察力，交叉脊神经连接，当动物无法用爪子独立的一步，但能否执行轮换任务。对于动物，如大鼠，许多脑区，以及本地中枢模式发生器（日用消费品）沿着脊髓的长度正常的四足行走的参与。专为前肢有节奏的运动，颈椎脊髓节段，C3-C6被认为是重要的22。以前，我们所记述在受损的动物交流发电机和非之间的交流发电机床解剖学上的不同（在C3/C4侧面半切进行），并发现到对侧背柱和皮质脊髓束在非交变动物18更大的伤害。它被认为是对前肢运动，有节奏的模式发生器是在目前的颈部半段的每个级别，并且交叉线连接抑制剂负责交替23。我们以前的解剖结果也暗示了损伤脊髓的对侧端可能会引起中断，有节奏的马达输出（如交替），而如果脊髓的对侧是更完整的，有节奏的电动机输出更容易正常工作。我们没有观察到线的任何对侧腹内侧部分显著损坏，因此没有进行这种分析。 这里所描述的姿势不稳测试是一个版本<html> Ÿ有用的测试，因为它可以检测两个前肢（同侧和对侧）引起的单侧病变的变化。要注意，该测试应当施用仅当动物被放宽实验者的手是很重要的。根据我们的经验，这可能需要每天处理的动物为2-3周。一旦实验者和动物很舒服，这个测试是非常敏感的，并且可以被用于获得高度一致的位移数据对每个前肢。如果动物是紧张，实验者可以轻轻握住动物，将它们关起来的，下到表，直到动物的舒适和理解，表是一个安全的位置。一旦动物是放松的，它持有的动物在独轮车位置在近90°，一致的结果是很重要的。这个测试是易于管理，通过提供有关补偿和赤字的信息用一个简单的任务提供了超越其他行为测试的洞察力。 T“&gt;训练大鼠在前面的摄像头后容易吃干面食。因此，面食的处理是一个相对简单的测试来管理。在这项研究中，我们进行了记录，并运用肢体使用的数据（左，右或两者）和时间只能吃面食。更详细的分析，包括在面食吃爪子的调整已在动物的伤害，如单侧缺血性病变及单侧纹状体多巴胺耗竭20,21,24先前描述的，因此，可以开发和使用更从面食吃的测试敏感性分析CSCI后，我们包括在评分表爪子的位置，因为这可能揭示利手或双手各能力此外，我们注意到每一个爪子的抓地力;。有些动物休息的爪子上的一面面食，可能使用它作为支撑，而不是吃时的抓地力的面食。如果动物都不愿吃面食，食品匮乏的步骤可以被引入到测试前的协议。

颈脊髓损伤（CSCI）是脊髓损伤患者最普遍的形式，约占62％的所有的的SCI（ <a href="http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu" target="_blank">http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu</a> ）。受伤的脊髓型颈椎病可导致上肢和呼吸障碍。最近的一项研究中患者CSCI表明，手臂和/或手的部分或全部功能，被认为是一个主要优先事项1。因此，开发CSCI模型和相关的行为分析，很容易，灵敏，可靠的使用是一个重要的目标。还有一些有用的行为测试，以在啮齿动物1-17 CSCI后评估前肢功能，然而，许多这些测试都难于使用，并且需要专门的设备。面食处理试验已经开发了其他组18,19，但这些测试要求的动物在特定的面食饮食笼，被拍摄下来，这需要很长的培养期间，虽然我们提出的方法可以在动物的饲养笼中进行。前面描述的面食测试需要显著的分析时间，往往昂贵的软件，不像这里描述的测试。我们的方法的目标是开发和使用行为测试，易于使用，可靠，并且不需要昂贵的设备。具体来说，这里所描述的前肢步交替试验使研究人员能够伤后早期估计病灶体积，提供创建等同治疗组慢性治疗的给药前的一种手段。在这项研究中，我们详细描述了三个新的行为测试：（1）前肢步交替，（2）姿势不稳，以及（3）意大利面处理。 确定正确的行为测试使用可能会很困难。事实上，我们觉得没有人的行为的测试可以评估前肢的功能充分。因此，我们建议您使用的几个行为测试，以屁股的组合脊髓损伤后ESS前肢的功能。断然地说，应该使用一个开放的场的运动型任务（ 如前肢的运动规模，缸），其中动物的正常运动中使用其前肢的评估，以及任务特定的测试，其中动物被要求执行特定的任务涉及使用他们的前肢（例如，面食的饮食，姿势不稳，握力等 ）。这里详细介绍了行为测试是确定病变的严重程度〜后一周病变（前肢步交替，姿势不稳，意大利面处理），在对侧前肢（前肢步交替，姿势不稳单侧病变的影响很有用）和前肢的精细动作的运动（意大利面处理）。知道的严重程度和所使用的病灶效果还可以决定适当的行为测试。如果手腕精细动作的运动是不可能的损伤后，使用一个测试，测量和的量化IES利用前肢的爪子是不恰当的。例如，在深度许多先前所描述的面食处理测试看起来更在数字的各个动作，然而，我们发现与我们的损伤的严重程度和位置，这是不相关的，而不是观察到肢体的整体布局的差异。 研究人员可能会试图进行许多行为测试，并使用其中一个样本的基础上，论证的结果，然而，建议对正在使用的每个实验模型的试验研究，以确定适当的行为测试的病变。因此，要注意的是，用户在决定对行为测试要采用之前有赤字特定病变类型和程度的类型中的至少一些现有知识是重要的。评估基于行为表现病变程度也允许与病变严重程度治疗前平均分配产生治疗组换货给药。

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog Number</td>
 <td>Comments/Description</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sand paper</td>
 <td>3M</td>
 <td>5097</td>
 <td>3M Gold Fre-Cut Sandpaper was used. 
 Any 220-grit sandpaper would work well </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dry Pasta</td>
 <td>Skinner</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Skinner Thin Spaghetti was used. It is available at Walmart</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

assessing forelimb function after unilateral cervical sci using novel tasks: limb step-alternation, postural instability and pasta handling

颈脊髓损伤（CSCI）可能会导致灾难性的神经功能障碍，包括减值或上肢和手功能丧失。大多数在人类脊髓损伤的发生在颈椎水平。因此，开发宫颈损伤模型和制定相关和敏感行为测试是非常重要的。在这里，我们描述了使用颈脊髓损伤后新开发的前肢步交替测试。此外，我们描述了两种行为的测试，但没有脊髓损伤后使用：一个姿势不稳测试（PIT），和意大利面处理试验。所有三种行为测试是对损伤高度敏感的并且易于使用。因此，我们觉得这些行为测试可有助于CSCI调查后治疗策略。

我们建议动物在整个实验中定期测试，在一个重复测量型实验，以提高分析和分析改进时间。 前肢步交替测试这个测试的目的是确定动物的交替使用其前肢能力。用前肢步交替测试中，只有50％的动物能够交替使用其前肢CSCI 19后在12-16周后受伤（ 图1A）。下一步，我们通过保持静止的动物向前移动的动物用于第二步骤之前，在第一步骤之后引入的延迟（5秒）。只有50％的被交替使用他们的肢体（总损毁组的25％）的动物能够交替有5秒的延迟（ 图1B）之后。我们相关的这些发现与解剖研究和分析表明，发电机有significantly较大幸免皮质脊髓束[F（1,1）= 5.56，P &lt;0.05]和背柱[F（1,1）= 19.2，P &lt;0.003]的对侧端19的面积。这些数据表明，前肢步骤交替测试可以预测病变的严重程度以及病变unilaterality。这个测试可能会导致，应与重复测量分析来分析标称分类数据。在这个例子中，这不是一个重复测量中，我们使用一个时间 - 点来说明组之间的差异。每个动物将被归类为“发电机”或“非发电机”，将动物分成（中度与重度分别为）两组伤。 姿势不稳测试脊髓单侧病变可引起变化不仅对受损和/或患侧肢体，而且对非减值的肢体。该姿势不稳测试（PIT）曾递减ribed和动物中与帕金森病18的啮齿动物模型和在CSCI 19的啮齿动物模型中使用。我们使用PIT CSCI后，发现有病变状况的显著效果，F（1,1）= 8.17，P &lt;0.01]。此外，前肢位移（距离重获重心）是显著更大的ipsilesional侧受伤的动物（右前肢）相比，动物与假手术（6.00±0.24厘米与8.00±0.10厘米，P &lt;0.0001; 图2 ）。在对侧前肢的位移距离为显著较小的损毁动物相比，假手术动物（6.00±0.25厘米深与4.00±0.10厘米CSCI，P &lt;0.0001， 图2）。这一结果表明，对侧前肢也导致由对侧foreli到相对侧的变化，由于病变（ 即改变姿势调整MB到重拾重心）。从这个测试的数据将是定量的，应使用重复测量的方差分析，研究在整个实验中改变组进行分析。 面食处理测试面食处理的目的是测试熟练使用前肢的同时吃一块干面食。类似的测试之前已用于检测赤字熟练使用单侧中风和帕金森氏病20,21的动物模型和CSCI 19后前肢。在慢性时间点损伤（12周后的损伤）后，所有假动物在试验期间使用两个前爪吃了面食。在损毁组，我们发现，总体时间吃了一块面食类似于对照组（ 图3）。然而，更多的交流发电机（温和损伤; 10 15）能够使用他们的ipsilesional前肢比非交流发电机（重伤组，1出7; <strong&gt;图3）。面食处理测试提供的数据是连续和定量（时间吃面食）和分类（爪子使用），并应适当分析。 <img alt="图1" fo:content-width="6in" src="/files/ftp_upload/50955/50955fig1highres.jpg" /> 用前肢步交替测试前肢的功能如图1所示 。 慢性评估显示两组不同的动物有不同的病变程度。动物表现出行为上的差异时同时使用爪子向前步进。只有50％的损毁动物的爪子交替而步进（交流发电机; 5出10损毁大鼠），而其它研究显示，采取行中的两个对侧步（非发电机缺少的一步交替; 5出10损毁大鼠）。更多的动物显示这种倾向采取多个步骤，对侧如果5秒延时是科技教育之间引入PS（8出10损毁大鼠）。 <img alt="图2" fo:content-width="4.6in" src="/files/ftp_upload/50955/50955fig2highres.jpg" /> 。使用姿势不稳测试（PIT）图2慢性前肢行为评估正如预期的那样，在动物的颈脊髓损伤（CSCI）的ipsilesional前肢有显著更大的位移距离比动物与假手术（6厘米比8厘米; * P &lt;0.0001）。此外，在对侧前肢的位移距离是显著较小的病变的动物相比，假手术动物（6厘米与4厘米; * P &lt;0.0001）。这可能表明该对侧肢体的增强功能PIT中损毁的动物中。 <img alt="图3" fo:content-width="6in" src="/files/ftp_upload/50955/50955fig3highres.jpg" /> <s用意大利面处理及进食试验 TRONG&gt;图3。 前肢评估表明显著障碍的病变非交流发电机。动物分别给予标准件面食。爪子的使用和时间吃面食的记录。结果表明，交流发电机的数量较少（33％）专门用于其对侧前肢（表示更严重的损害）相比，非交流发电机（86％）。此外，动物所有三组（假手术，损毁发电机，损毁和非发电机）在花的时间差不多长到吃的面食（P &lt;0.05）。 <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/50955/50955fig3large.jpg" target="_blank">点击这里查看大图</a> 。

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling at JoVE.com

Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling

三个新的行为测试（前肢步交替，姿势不稳测试，面食处理试验）颈脊髓损伤的啮齿类动物后评估前肢的功能进行了描述。

采用新型任务评估前肢功能单侧颈脊髓损伤后：肢体步交替，姿势不稳和面食处理

Cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) can cause devastating neurological deficits, including impairment or loss of upper limb and hand function. A majority ...

assessing-forelimb-function-after-unilateral-cervical-sci-using-novel

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

21.7K 次观看.  The University of Texas at Austin. 三个新的行为测试（前肢步交替，姿势不稳测试，面食处理试验）颈脊髓损伤的啮齿类动物后评估前肢的功能进行了描述。 

视频: Assessing Forelimb Function after Unilateral Cervical SCI using Novel Tasks: Limb Step-alternation, Postural Instability and Pasta Handling

Automated Visual Cognitive Tasks for Recording Neural Activity Using a Floor Projection Maze

Neuropsychological tasks used in primates to investigate mechanisms of learning and memory are typically visually guided cognitive tasks. We have developed visual cognitive tasks for rats using the Floor Projection Maze1,2&#160;that are optimized for visual abilities of rats permitting stronger comparisons of experimental findings with other species.
In order to investigate neural correlates of learning and memory, we have integrated electrophysiological recordings into fully automated cognitive tasks on the Floor Projection Maze1,2. Behavioral software interfaced with an animal tracking system allows monitoring of the animal's behavior with precise control of image presentation and reward contingencies for better trained animals. Integration with an in vivo electrophysiological recording system enables examination of behavioral correlates of neural activity at selected epochs of a given cognitive task.
We describe protocols for a model system that combines automated visual presentation of information to rodents and intracranial reward with electrophysiological approaches. Our model system offers a sophisticated set of tools as a framework for other cognitive tasks to better isolate and identify specific mechanisms contributing to particular cognitive processes.

We describe protocols for training rats for chronic electrophysiological recordings in fully automated cognitive tasks on a Floor Projection Maze.

使用地面投影迷宫自动化视觉认知任务记录神经活动

Neuropsychological tasks used in primates to investigate mechanisms of learning and memory are typically visually guided cognitive tasks. We have ...

科研

行为学

Uncovering Beat Deafness: Detecting Rhythm Disorders with Synchronized Finger Tapping and Perceptual Timing Tasks

A set of behavioral tasks for assessing perceptual and sensorimotor timing abilities in the general population (i.e., non-musicians) is presented here with the goal of uncovering rhythm disorders, such as beat deafness. Beat deafness is characterized by poor performance in perceiving durations in auditory rhythmic patterns or poor synchronization of movement with auditory rhythms (e.g., with musical beats). These tasks include the synchronization of finger tapping to the beat of simple and complex auditory stimuli and the detection of rhythmic irregularities (anisochrony detection task) embedded in the same stimuli. These tests, which are easy to administer, include an assessment of both perceptual and sensorimotor timing abilities under different conditions (e.g., beat rates and types of auditory material) and are based on the same auditory stimuli, ranging from a simple metronome to a complex musical excerpt. The analysis of synchronized tapping data is performed with circular statistics, which provide reliable measures of synchronization accuracy (e.g., the difference between the timing of the taps and the timing of the pacing stimuli) and consistency. Circular statistics on tapping data are particularly well-suited for detecting individual differences in the general population. Synchronized tapping and anisochrony detection are sensitive measures for identifying profiles of rhythm disorders and have been used with success to uncover cases of poor synchronization with spared perceptual timing. This systematic assessment of perceptual and sensorimotor timing can be extended to populations of patients with brain damage, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson&#8217;s disease), and developmental disorders (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Behavioral tasks that allow for the assessment of perceptual and sensorimotor timing abilities in the general population (i.e., non-musicians) are presented. Synchronization of finger tapping to the beat of an auditory stimuli and detecting rhythmic irregularities provides a means of uncovering rhythm disorders.

揭开节拍耳聋：检测节律紊乱与同步手指敲击和感知定时任务

A set of behavioral tasks for assessing perceptual and sensorimotor timing abilities in the general population (i.e., non-musicians) is presented here ...

Performing Behavioral Tasks in Subjects with Intracranial Electrodes

Patients having stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) electrode, subdural grid or depth electrode implants have a multitude of electrodes implanted in different areas of their brain for the localization of their seizure focus and eloquent areas. After implantation, the patient must remain in the hospital until the pathological area of brain is found and possibly resected. During this time, these patients offer a unique opportunity to the research community because any number of behavioral paradigms can be performed to uncover the neural correlates that guide behavior. Here we present a method for recording brain activity from intracranial implants as subjects perform a behavioral task designed to assess decision-making and reward encoding. All electrophysiological data from the intracranial electrodes are recorded during the behavioral task, allowing for the examination of the many brain areas involved in a single function at time scales relevant to behavior. Moreover, and unlike animal studies, human patients can learn a wide variety of behavioral tasks quickly, allowing for the ability to perform more than one task in the same subject or for performing controls. Despite the many advantages of this technique for understanding human brain function, there are also methodological limitations that we discuss, including environmental factors, analgesic effects, time constraints and recordings from diseased tissue. This method may be easily implemented by any institution that performs intracranial assessments; providing the opportunity to directly examine human brain function during behavior.

Patients implanted with intracranial electrodes provide a unique opportunity to record neurological data from multiple areas of the brain while the patient performs behavioral tasks. Here, we present a method of recording from implanted patients that can be reproducible at other institutions with access to this patient population.

执行任务的行为与颅内电极主题

Patients having stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) electrode, subdural grid or depth electrode implants have a multitude of electrodes implanted in ...

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Movements are the main measurable output of central nervous system function. Developing behavioral paradigms that allow detailed analysis of motor learning and execution is of critical importance in order to understand the principles and processes that underlie motor function. Here we present a paradigm to study movement acquisition within a daily session of training (within-session) representing the fast learning component and primary acquisition as well as skilled motor learning over several training sessions (between-session) representing the slow learning component and consolidation of the learned task. This behavioral paradigm increases the degree of difficulty and complexity of the motor skill task due to two features: First, the animal realigns its body prior to each pellet retrieval forcing renewed orientation and preventing movement execution from the same angle. Second, pellets are grasped from a vertical post that matches the diameter of the pellet and is placed in front of the cage. This requires a precise grasp for successful pellet retrieval and thus prevents simple pulling of the pellet towards the animal. In combination with novel genetics, imaging and electrophysiological technologies, this behavioral method will aid to understand the morphological, anatomical and molecular underpinnings of motor learning and memory.

A paradigm is presented to analyze the acquisition of a high-precision skilled forelimb reaching task in rats.

收购高精度熟练的前肢到达任务大鼠

Movements are the main measurable output of central nervous system function. Developing behavioral paradigms that allow detailed analysis of motor ...

Using Fiberless, Wearable fNIRS to Monitor Brain Activity in Real-world Cognitive Tasks

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging technique that uses near-infrared light to monitor brain activity. Based on neurovascular coupling, fNIRS is able to measure the haemoglobin concentration changes secondary to neuronal activity. Compared to other neuroimaging techniques, fNIRS represents a good compromise in terms of spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, it is portable, lightweight, less sensitive to motion artifacts and does not impose significant physical restraints. It is therefore appropriate to monitor a wide range of cognitive tasks (e.g., auditory, gait analysis, social interaction) and different age populations (e.g., new-borns, adults, elderly people). The recent development of fiberless fNIRS devices has opened the way to new applications in neuroscience research. This represents a unique opportunity to study functional activity during real-world tests, which can be more sensitive and accurate in assessing cognitive function and dysfunction than lab-based tests. This study explored the use of fiberless fNIRS to monitor brain activity during a real-world prospective memory task. This protocol is performed outside the lab and brain haemoglobin concentration changes are continuously measured over the prefrontal cortex while the subject walks around in order to accomplish several different tasks.

Monitoring brain activity outside the lab without physical constraints presents methodological challenges. A fiberless, wearable functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) system was used to measure brain activity during an ecological prospective memory task. It was demonstrated that this system could be used to monitor brain activity during non-lab based experiments.

用无纤维，耐磨fNIRS监视在真实世界的认知任务脑活动

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging technique that uses near-infrared light to monitor brain activity. Based on neurovascular ...

Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is a very common cause of disability in childhood. It is characterized by unilateral motor impairments that are frequently dominated in the upper limb. In addition to a reduced movement capacity of the affected upper limb, several children with unilateral CP show a reduced awareness of the remaining movement capacity of that limb. This phenomenon of disregarding the preserved capacity of the affected upper limb is regularly referred to as Developmental Disregard (DD). Different theories have been postulated to explain DD, each suggesting slightly different guidelines for therapy. Still, cognitive processes that might additionally contribute to DD in children with unilateral CP have never been directly studied. The current protocol was developed to study cognitive aspects involved in upper limb control in children with unilateral CP with and without DD. This was done by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) extracted from the ongoing EEG during target-response tasks asking for a hand-movement response. ERPs consist of several components, each of them associated with a well-defined cognitive process (e.g., the N1 with early attention processes, the N2 with cognitive control and the P3 with cognitive load and mental effort). Due to its excellent temporal resolution, the ERP technique enables to study several covert cognitive processes preceding overt motor responses and thus allows insight into the cognitive processes that might contribute to the phenomenon of DD. Using this protocol adds a new level of explanation to existing behavioral studies and opens new avenues to the broader implementation of research on cognitive aspects of developmental movement restrictions in children.

Several children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy seem to disregard the preserved capacity of their affected upper limb. This Developmental Disregard is extensively described in the literature but the involved cognitive processes have not been studied. To study underlying cognitive factors of upper limb control, an event-related potential protocol was developed.

事件相关电位在目标响应的任务，研究的上肢使用在儿童认知过程单侧脑性麻痹

Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is a very common cause of disability in childhood. It is characterized by unilateral ...

Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb

Individuals with sensorimotor pathology e.g., stroke have difficulty executing the common task of rising from sitting and initiating gait (sit-to-walk: STW). Thus, in clinical rehabilitation separation of sit-to-stand and gait initiation - termed sit-to-stand-and-walk (STSW) - is usual. However, a standardized STSW protocol with a clearly defined analytical approach suitable for pathological assessment has yet to be defined.
Hence, a goal-orientated protocol is defined that is suitable for healthy and compromised individuals by requiring the rising phase to be initiated from 120% knee height with a wide base of support independent of lead limb. Optical capture of three-dimensional (3D) segmental movement trajectories, and force platforms to yield two-dimensional (2D) center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories permit tracking of the horizontal distance between COP and whole-body-center-of-mass (BCOM), the decrease of which increases positional stability but is proposed to represent poor dynamic postural control.
BCOM-COP distance is expressed with and without normalization to subjects&#39; leg length. Whilst COP-BCOM distances vary through STSW, normalized data at the key movement events of seat-off and initial toe-off (TO1) during steps 1 and 2 have low intra and inter subject variability in 5 repeated trials performed by 10 young healthy individuals. Thus, comparing COP-BCOM distance at key events during performance of an STSW paradigm between patients with upper motor neuron injury, or other compromised patient groups, and normative data in young healthy individuals is a novel methodology for evaluation of dynamic postural stability.

Here, we present a novel protocol to measure positional stability at key events during the sit-to-stand-to-walk using the center-of-pressure to the whole-body-center-of-mass distance. This was derived from the force platform and three-dimensional motion-capture technology. The paradigm is reliable and can be utilized for the assessment of neurologically compromised individuals.

坐姿到站姿和步行距离120％膝盖高度：新方法来评估铅肢体的动态姿势控制独立

Individuals with sensorimotor pathology e.g., stroke have difficulty executing the common task of rising from sitting and initiating gait (sit-to-walk: ...

The Knob Supination Task: A Semi-automated Method for Assessing Forelimb Function in Rats

Tasks that accurately measure dexterity in animal models are critical to understand hand function. Current rat behavioral tasks that measure dexterity largely use video analysis of reaching or food manipulation. While these tasks are easy to implement and are robust across disease models, they are subjective and laborious for the experimenter. Automating traditional tasks or creating new automated tasks can make the tasks more efficient, objective, and quantitative. Since rats are less dexterous than primates, central nervous system (CNS) injury produces more subtle deficits in dexterity, however, supination is highly affected in rodents and crucial to hand function in primates. Therefore, we designed a semi-automated task that measures forelimb supination in rats. Rats are trained to reach and grasp a knob-shaped manipulandum and turn the manipulandum in supination to receive a reward. Rats can acquire the skill within 20 &plusmn; 5 days. While the early part of training is highly supervised, much of the training is done without direct supervision. The task reliably and reproducibly captures subtle deficits after injury and shows functional recovery that accurately reflects clinical recovery curves. Analysis of data is performed by specialized software through a graphical user interface that is designed to be intuitive. We also give solutions to common problems encountered during training, and show that minor corrections to behavior early in training produce reliable acquisition of supination. Thus, the knob supination task provides efficient and quantitative evaluation of a critical movement for dexterity in rats.

This manuscript describes a semi-automated task that quantifies supination in rats. Rats reach, grasp, and supinate a spherical manipulandum. The rat is rewarded with a pellet if the turn angle exceeds a criterion set by the user. This task increases throughput, sensitivity to injury, and objectivity compared to traditional tasks.

旋钮旋任务: 一种半自动评估大鼠前肢功能的方法

Tasks that accurately measure dexterity in animal models are critical to understand hand function. Current rat behavioral tasks that measure dexterity ...

A Novel Single Animal Motor Function Tracking System Using Simple, Readily Available Software

We have recently demonstrated that implanting intracortical microelectrodes in the motor corteces of rats&#160;results in immediate and lasting motor deficits. Motor impairments were manually quantified through an open field grid test to measure the gross motor function and through a ladder test to measure the fine motor function. Here, we discuss a technique for the automated quantification of the video-recorded tests using our custom Capadona Behavioral Video Analysis System: Grid and Ladder Test, or BVAS. Leveraging simple and readily available coding software (see the Table of Materials), this program allows for the tracking of a single animal on both the open field grid and the ladder tests. In open field grid tracking, the code thresholds the video for intensity, tracks the position of the rat over the 3 min duration of the grid test, and analyzes the path. It then computes and returns measurements for the total distance traveled, the maximum velocity achieved, the number of left- and right-handed turns, and the total number of grid lines crossed by the rat. In ladder tracking, the code again thresholds the video for intensity, tracks the movement of the rat across the ladder, and returns calculated measurements including the time it took the rat to cross the ladder, the number of paw slips occurring below the plane of the ladder rungs, and the incidence of failures due to stagnation or reversals. We envision that the BVAS developed here can be employed for the analysis of motor function in a variety of applications, including many injury or disease models.

The current study aimed to automate the quantification of motor deficits in rats. The initial evaluation model assesses motor loss resulting from an intracortical microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex. We report on the development and use of a tracking algorithm using easily adaptable, simple, and readily available coding software.

一种新的单动物运动功能跟踪系统, 使用简单、易于使用的软件

We have recently demonstrated that implanting intracortical microelectrodes in the motor corteces of rats&#160;results in immediate and lasting motor ...

An Instrumented Pull Test to Characterize Postural Responses

Impairment of postural reflexes, termed postural instability, is a common and disabling deficit in Parkinson's disease. To assess postural reflexes, clinicians typically employ the pull test to grade corrective responses to a backward perturbation at the shoulders. However, the pull test is prone to issues with reliability and scaling (score/4). Here, we present an instrumented version of the pull test to more precisely quantify postural responses. Akin to the clinical test, pulls are manually administered except pull force is also recorded. Displacements of the trunk and feet are captured by a semi-portable motion tracking system. Raw data represent distance traveled (in millimeter units), making subsequent interpretation and analysis intuitive. The instrumented pull test also detects variabilities influencing pull test administration, such as pull force, thereby identifying and quantifying potential confounds that can be accounted for by statistical techniques. The instrumented pull test could have application in studies seeking to capture early abnormalities in postural responses, track postural instability over time, and detect responses to therapy.

Impairment of postural reflexes, termed postural instability, is difficult to quantify. Clinical assessments such as the pull test suffer issues with reliability and scaling. Here, we present an instrumented version of the pull test to objectively characterize postural responses.

一种表征姿势反应的仪器拉力测试

Impairment of postural reflexes, termed postural instability, is a common and disabling deficit in Parkinson's disease. To assess postural reflexes, ...