Name: use of rotorod as a method for the qualitative analysis of walking in rat
Uploaded: 2008-12-10T00:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Use of Rotorod as a Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Walking in Rat at JoVE.com

Supported by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canadian Stroke Network, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

Rotorod walking apparatus The rotorod was a rotating cylinder, 4 cm in diameter, fixed 35 cm above the ground and enclosed by transparent Plexiglas. The rotorod cylinder was covered in textured rubber coating, which facilitates traction. The floor of the apparatus was covered with a layer of foam to prevent injuries when animals fell. A small electric motor provided power to turn the rotorod via a rubber belt. The rotorod was set to rotate once every 5 s. Video recordings...

<ol>
	<li>Chang, J. W., Wachtel, S. R., Young, D., Kang, U. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biochemical+and+anatomical+characterization+of+forepaw+adjusting+steps+in+rat+models+of+Parkinson's+disease:+studies+on+medial+forebrain+bundle+and+striatal+lesions.">Biochemical and anatomical characterization of forepaw adjusting steps in rat models of Parkinson's disease: studies on medial forebrain bundle and striatal lesions.</a> Neuroscience. 88, 617-628 (1999).</li><li>Metz, G. A., Tse, A., Ballermann, M., Smith, L. K., Fouad, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+unilateral+6-OHDA+rat+model+of+Parkinson's+disease+revisited:+an+electromyographic+and+behavioural+analysis.">The unilateral 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease revisited: an electromyographic and behavioural analysis.</a> Eur J Neurosci. 22, 735-744 (2005).</li><li>Miklyaeva, E. I., Castaneda, E., Whishaw, I. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Skilled+reaching+deficits+in+unilateral+dopamine-depleted+rats:+impairments+in+movement+and+posture+and+compensatory+adjustments.">Skilled reaching deficits in unilateral dopamine-depleted rats: impairments in movement and posture and compensatory adjustments.</a> J Neurosci. 14, 7148-7158 (1994).</li><li>Miklyaeva, E. I., Martens, D. J., Whishaw, I. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impairments+and+compensatory+adjustments+in+spontaneous+movement+after+unilateral+dopamine+depletion+in+rats.">Impairments and compensatory adjustments in spontaneous movement after unilateral dopamine depletion in rats.</a> Brain Res. 68, 23-40 (1995).</li><li>Morrissey, T. K., Pellis, S. M., Pellis, V. C., Teitelbaum, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seemingly+paradoxical+jumping+in+cataleptic+haloperidol-treated+rats+is+triggered+by+postural+instability.">Seemingly paradoxical jumping in cataleptic haloperidol-treated rats is triggered by postural instability.</a> Behav Brain Res. 35, 195-207 (1989).</li><li>Muir, G. D., Whishaw, I. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complete+locomotor+recovery+following+corticospinal+tract+lesions:+measurement+of+ground+reaction+forces+during+overground+locomotion+in+rats.">Complete locomotor recovery following corticospinal tract lesions: measurement of ground reaction forces during overground locomotion in rats.</a> Behav Brain Res. 103, 45-53 (1999).</li><li>Muir, G. D., Whishaw, I. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ground+reaction+forces+in+locomoting+hemiparkinsonian+rats:+a+definitive+test+for+impairments+and+compensations.">Ground reaction forces in locomoting hemiparkinsonian rats: a definitive test for impairments and compensations.</a> Exp Brain Res. 126, 307-314 (1999).</li><li>M, O. l. s. s. o. n., Nikkhah, G., Bentlage, C., Bjorklund, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Forelimb+akinesia+in+the+rat+Parkinson+model:+differential+effects+of+dopamine+agonists+and+nigral+transplants+as+assessed+by+a+new+stepping+test.">Forelimb akinesia in the rat Parkinson model: differential effects of dopamine agonists and nigral transplants as assessed by a new stepping test.</a> J Neurosci. 15, 3863-3875 (1995).</li><li>Schallert, T., DeRyck, M., Whishaw, I. Q., Ramirez, V. D., Teitelbaum, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excessive+bracing+reactions+and+their+control+by+atropine+and+LDOPA+in+an+animal+analog+of+Parkinsonism.">Excessive bracing reactions and their control by atropine and LDOPA in an animal analog of Parkinsonism.</a> Exp Neurol. 64, 33-43 (1979).</li><li>Schallert, T., Norton, D., Jones, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+clinically+relevant+unilateral+rat+model+of+Parkinsonian+akinesia.">A clinically relevant unilateral rat model of Parkinsonian akinesia.</a> J Neural Transpl Plasticity. 3, 332-333 (1992).</li><li>Whishaw, I. Q., Gorny, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arpeggio+and+fractionated+digit+movements+used+in+prehension+by+rats.">Arpeggio and fractionated digit movements used in prehension by rats.</a> Behav Brain Res. 60, 15-24 (1994).</li><li>Whishaw, I. Q., O'Connor, W. T., Dunnett, S. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+contributions+of+motor+cortex,+nigrostriatal+dopamine+and+caudate-putamen+to+skilled+forelimb+use+in+the+rat.">The contributions of motor cortex, nigrostriatal dopamine and caudate-putamen to skilled forelimb use in the rat.</a> Brain. 109, 805-843 (1986).</li><li>Whishaw, I. Q., Pellis, S. M., Gorny, B., Kolb, B., Tetzlaff, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Proximal+and+distal+impairments+in+rat+forelimb+use+in+reaching+follow+unilateral+pyramidal+tract+lesions.">Proximal and distal impairments in rat forelimb use in reaching follow unilateral pyramidal tract lesions.</a> Behav Brain Res. 56, 59-76 (1993).</li><li>Whishaw, I. Q., Woodward, N. C., Miklyaeva, E., Pellis, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+limb+use+by+control+rats+and+unilateral+DA-depleted+rats+in+the+Montoya+staircase+test:+movements,+impairments+and+compensatory+strategies.">Analysis of limb use by control rats and unilateral DA-depleted rats in the Montoya staircase test: movements, impairments and compensatory strategies.</a> Behav Brain Res. 89, 167-177 (1997).</li></ol>

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the rotorod test for rodent locomotion skill can be used for the qualitative examination of posture, forelimb stepping and hind limb stepping in nervous system injured rats. For the analysis, rats with unilateral DA depletions and control rats were video recorded from front, lateral and posterior views. A rating scale of posture and forelimb movements indicated that stepping movements were chronically impaired following surgery. Examination of limb movements indicat...

A correction was made to: <a href="http://www.jove.com/video/1030/">Use of Rotorod as a Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Walking in Rat</a>. An additional paragraph was added to the discussion, the abstract was modified, and another reference was included.
Additional reference:
15. Whishaw IQ, Li K, Whishaw PA, Gorny B, Metz GA. Distinct forelimb and hind limb stepping impairments in unilateral dopamine-depleted rats: use of the rotorod as a method for the qualitative analysis of skilled walking. J Neurosci Meth 126, 13-23 (2003).
Revised Abstract:
High speed videoanalysis of the details of movement can provide a source of information about qualitative aspects of walking movements. When walking on a rotorod, animals remain in approximately the same place making repetitive movements of stepping. Thus the task provides a rich source of information on the details of foot stepping movements. Subjects were hemi-Parkinson analogue rats, produced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right nigrostriatal bundle to deplete nigrostriatal dopamine (DA). The present report provides a video analysis illustration of animals previously were filmed from frontal, lateral, and posterior views as they walked (15). Rating scales and frame-by-frame replay of the video records of stepping behavior indicated that the hemi-Parkinson rats were chronically impaired in posture and limb use contralateral to the DA-depletion. The contralateral limbs participated less in initiating and sustaining propulsion than the ipsilateral limbs. These deficits secondary to unilateral DA-depletion show that the rotorod provides a use task for the analysis of stepping movements.
Additional Discussion Paragraph:
A more detailed presentation of the present study has been made (Whishaw et al, 2003), but the present study presents the video support describing the stepping movement in the good and affected limbs of unilateral dopamine-depleted rats. For the analysis, rats with unilateral DA depletions and control rats were video recorded from front, lateral and posterior views. A rating scale of posture and forelimb movements indicated that stepping movements were chronically impaired following surgery. Examination of limb movements indicated that whereas the DA-depleted rats could use the limbs contralateral to the lesion for support, they received minimal use for shifting weight. The results of this study indicate that the rotorod task, in addition to providing quantitative measures of motor impairments, can also provide insights into the qualitative impairments.
Original Abstract:
The rotorod test, in which animals walk on a rotating drum, is widely used to assess motor status in laboratory rodents. Performance is measured by the duration that an animal stays up on the drum as a function of drum speed. Here we report that the task provides a rich source of information about qualitative aspects of walking movements. Because movements are performed in a fixed location, they can readily be examined using high-speed video recording methods. The present study was undertaken to examine the potential of the rotorod to reveal qualitative changes in the walking movements of hemi-Parkinson analogue rats, produced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right nigrostriatal bundle to deplete nigrostriatal dopamine (DA). Beginning on the day following surgery and then periodically over the next two months, the rats were filmed from frontal, lateral, and posterior views as they walked on the rotorod. Behavior was analyzed by frame-by-frame replay of the video records. Rating scales of stepping behavior indicated that the hemi-Parkinson rats were chronically impaired in their posture and in the use of the limbs contralateral to the DA-depletion. The contralateral limbs not only displayed postural and movement abnormalities, they participated less in initiating and sustaining propulsion than did the ipsilateral limbs. These findings not only reveal new deficits secondary to unilateral DA-depletion, but also show that the rotorod can provide a robust tool for the qualitative analysis of movement.

A correction was made to: <a href="http://www.jove.com/video/1030/">Use of Rotorod as a Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Walking in Rat</a>. An additional paragraph was added to the discussion, the abstract was modified and another reference was included.

Erratum: Use of Rotorod as a Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Walking in Rat

use of rotorod as a method for the qualitative analysis of walking in rat

High speed videoanalysis of the details of movement can provide a source of information about qualitative aspects of walking movements. When walking on a rotorod, animals remain in approximately the same place making repetitive movements of stepping. Thus the task provides a rich source of information on the details of foot stepping movements. Subjects were hemi-Parkinson analogue rats, produced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right nigrostriatal bundle to deplete nigrostriatal dopamine (DA). The present report provides a video analysis illustration of animals previously were filmed from frontal, lateral, and posterior views as they walked (15). Rating scales and frame-by-frame replay of the video records of stepping behavior indicated that the hemi-Parkinson rats were chronically impaired in posture and limb use contralateral to the DA-depletion. The contralateral limbs participated less in initiating and sustaining propulsion than the ipsilateral limbs. These deficits secondary to unilateral DA-depletion show that the rotorod provides a use task for the analysis of stepping movements.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Use of Rotorod as a Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Walking in Rat at JoVE.com

Use of Rotorod as a Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Walking in Rat

The rotorod test is used to assess motor status in the walking movement of hemi-Parkinson analogue rats.

High speed videoanalysis of the details of movement can provide a source of information about qualitative aspects of walking movements. When walking on a ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Pyrosequencing: A Simple Method for Accurate Genotyping

Pharmacogenetic research benefits first-hand from the abundance of information provided by the completion of the Human Genome Project. With such a ...

The Structure of Skilled Forelimb Reaching in the Rat: A Movement Rating Scale

Skilled reaching for food is an evolutionary ancient act and is displayed by many animal species, including those in the sister clades of rodents and ...

The Ladder Rung Walking Task: A Scoring System and its Practical Application.

Progress in the development of animal models for/stroke, spinal cord injury, and other neurodegenerative disease requires tests of high sensitivity to ...

Analysis of the Development of a Morphological Phenotype as a Function of Protein Concentration in Budding Yeast

Gene deletion and protein overexpression are common methods for studying functions of proteins. In this article, we describe a protocol for analysis of ...

Microinjection of Medaka Embryos for use as a Model Genetic Organism

In this video, we demonstrate the technique of microinjection into one-cell stage medaka embryos. Medaka is a small egg-laying freshwater fish that allows ...

A Simple Method for Imaging Arabidopsis Leaves Using Perfluorodecalin as an Infiltrative Imaging Medium

A Simple Method for Imaging Arabidopsis Leaves Using Perfluorodecalin as an Infiltrative Imaging Medium

The problem of acquiring high-resolution images deep into biological samples is widely acknowledged1. In air-filled tissue such as the spongy mesophyll of ...

The Use of Chemostats in Microbial Systems Biology

Cells regulate their rate of growth in response to signals from the external world. As the cell grows, diverse cellular processes must be coordinated ...

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism

The folding and assembly of proteins is essential for protein function, the long-term health of the cell, and longevity of the organism. Historically, the ...

A Hybrid DNA Extraction Method for the Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Bacterial Communities from Poultry Production Samples

The efficacy of DNA extraction protocols can be highly dependent upon both the type of sample being investigated and the types of downstream analyses ...

Sampling Blood from the Lateral Tail Vein of the Rat

Blood samples are commonly obtained in many experimental contexts to measure targets of interest, including hormones, immune factors, growth factors, ...