Name: computerized adaptive testing system of functional assessment of stroke
Uploaded: 2019-01-07T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke at JoVE.com

This study was supported by research grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology (105-2314-B-002 -015 -MY3).

This study protocol was approved by a local institutional review board, and all patients gave informed consent.
1. Development of the CAT-FAS
<ol>
	<li>Retrieve the secondary and encrypted data from the FAS study14 to conduct simulations (Supplementary File 1: Appendix 2). 
	NOTE: In the study, a total of 301 patients were recruited froma rehabilitation ward of a medical center and assessed at 14 d after stroke onset. Among the 301 patients, 262 ...

<ol>
	<li>Kim, S. S., Lee, H. J., You, Y. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+ankle+strengthening+exercises+combined+with+motor+imagery+training+on+the+timed+up+and+go+test+score+and+weight+bearing+ratio+in+stroke+patients.">Effects of ankle strengthening exercises combined with motor imagery training on the timed up and go test score and weight bearing ratio in stroke patients.</a> Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 27 (7), 2303-2305 (2015).</li><li>Langhorne, P., Coupar, F., Pollock, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+recovery+after+stroke:+A+systematic+review.">Motor recovery after stroke: A systematic review.</a> Lancet Neurology. 8 (8), 741-754 (2009).</li><li>Lum, P. S., Burgar, C. G., Shor, P. C., Majmundar, M., Van der Loos, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Robot-assisted+movement+training+compared+with+conventional+therapy+techniques+for+the+rehabilitation+of+upper-limb+motor+function+after+stroke.">Robot-assisted movement training compared with conventional therapy techniques for the rehabilitation of upper-limb motor function after stroke.</a> Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 83 (7), 952-959 (2002).</li><li>Fugl-Meyer, A. R., Jaasko, L., Leyman, I., Olsson, S., Steglind, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+post-stroke+hemiplegic+patient+1:+A+method+for+evaluation+of+physical+performance.">The post-stroke hemiplegic patient 1: A method for evaluation of physical performance.</a> Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 7 (1), 13-31 (1975).</li><li>Benaim, C., Perennou, D. A., Villy, J., Rousseaux, M., Pelissier, J. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Validation+of+a+standardized+assessment+of+postural+control+in+stroke+patients:+The+Postural+Assessment+Scale+for+Stroke+Patients+(PASS).">Validation of a standardized assessment of postural control in stroke patients: The Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS).</a> Stroke. 30 (9), 1862-1868 (1999).</li><li>Mahoney, F. I., Barthel, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+Evaluation:+The+Barthel+Index.">Functional Evaluation: The Barthel Index.</a> Maryland State Medical Journal. 14, 61-65 (1965).</li><li>Duffy, L., Gajree, S., Langhorne, P., Stott, D. J., Quinn, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reliability+(inter-rater+agreement)+of+the+Barthel+Index+for+assessment+of+stroke+survivors:+Systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Reliability (inter-rater agreement) of the Barthel Index for assessment of stroke survivors: Systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> Stroke. 44 (2), 462-468 (2013).</li><li>Lin, J. H., Hsueh, I. P., Sheu, C. F., Hsieh, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Psychometric+properties+of+the+sensory+scale+of+the+Fugl-Meyer+Assessment+in+stroke+patients.">Psychometric properties of the sensory scale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment in stroke patients.</a> Clinical Rehabilitation. 18 (4), 391-397 (2004).</li><li>Mao, H. F., Hsueh, I. P., Tang, P. F., Sheu, C. F., Hsieh, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+and+comparison+of+the+psychometric+properties+of+three+balance+measures+for+stroke+patients.">Analysis and comparison of the psychometric properties of three balance measures for stroke patients.</a> Stroke. 33 (4), 1022-1027 (2002).</li><li>Hsueh, I. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+a+computerized+adaptive+test+for+assessing+balance+function+in+patients+with+stroke.">Development of a computerized adaptive test for assessing balance function in patients with stroke.</a> Physical Therapy. 90 (9), 1336-1344 (2010).</li><li>Hsueh, I. P., Chen, J. H., Wang, C. H., Hou, W. H., Hsieh, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+a+computerized+adaptive+test+for+assessing+activities+of+daily+living+in+outpatients+with+stroke.">Development of a computerized adaptive test for assessing activities of daily living in outpatients with stroke.</a> Physical Therapy. 93 (5), 681-693 (2013).</li><li>Wong, A. W., Heinemann, A. W., Miskovic, A., Semik, P., Snyder, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feasibility+of+computerized+adaptive+testing+for+collection+of+patient-reported+outcomes+after+inpatient+rehabilitation.">Feasibility of computerized adaptive testing for collection of patient-reported outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation.</a> Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 95 (5), 882-891 (2014).</li><li>Lin, G. H., Huang, Y. J., Lee, S. C., Huang, S. L., Hsieh, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+a+computerized+adaptive+testing+system+of+the+Functional+Assessment+of+Stroke.">Development of a computerized adaptive testing system of the Functional Assessment of Stroke.</a> Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 99 (4), 676-683 (2017).</li><li>Wang, Y. L., Lin, G. H., Yi-Jing, H., Chen, M. H., Hsieh, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Refining+three+measures+to+construct+an+efficient+Functional+Assessment+of+Stroke.">Refining three measures to construct an efficient Functional Assessment of Stroke.</a> Stroke. 48 (6), 1630-1635 (2017).</li><li>Adams, R. J., Wilson, M., Wang, W. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+multidimensional+random+coefficients+multinomial+logit+model.">The multidimensional random coefficients multinomial logit model.</a> Applied Psychological Measurement. 21 (1), 1-23 (1997).</li><li>Masters, G. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Rasch+model+for+partial+credit+scoring.">A Rasch model for partial credit scoring.</a> Psychometrika. 47 (2), 149-174 (1982).</li><li>Wang, W. C., Chen, P. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Implementation+and+measurement+efficiency+of+multidimensional+computerized+adaptive+testing.">Implementation and measurement efficiency of multidimensional computerized adaptive testing.</a> Applied Psychological Measurement. 28 (5), 295-316 (2004).</li><li>Mulder, J., Van der Linden, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multidimensional+adaptive+testing+with+optimal+design+criteria+for+item+selection.">Multidimensional adaptive testing with optimal design criteria for item selection.</a> Psychometrika. 74 (2), 273-296 (2009).</li><li>Segall, D. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=General+ability+measurement:+An+application+of+multidimensional+item+response+theory.">General ability measurement: An application of multidimensional item response theory.</a> Psychometrika. 66 (1), 79-97 (2001).</li><li>Lee, S. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+a+social+functioning+assessment+using+computerized+adaptive+testing+for+patients+with+stroke.">Development of a social functioning assessment using computerized adaptive testing for patients with stroke.</a> Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 99 (2), 306-313 (2018).</li><li>Paap, M. C. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+patient-reported+outcomes+adaptively:+Multidimensionality+matters!.">Measuring patient-reported outcomes adaptively: Multidimensionality matters!.</a> Applied Psychological Measurement. 42 (5), 327-342 (2018).</li><li>Paap, M. C. S., Kroeze, K. A., Terwee, C. B., van der Palen, J., Veldkamp, B. 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The results presented here showed that the CAT-FAS administered about 10% of the items in the original tests (the average number of items used in the CAT-FAS: 8.5 items vs. the original tests: 72 items). These findings indicate that the CAT-FAS has good administrative efficiency. The results were in line with previous studies, which reported that a CAT administered only about 10 items or less to assess social function, balance, or activities of daily living in patients with stroke10,...

Dysfunctions of the upper and lower extremities (UE and LE), postural control, and basic activities of daily living (BADL) are major sequelae of stroke1,2,3. The assessment of these four functions in patients with stroke is fundamental for clinicians to evaluate patients' levels of dysfunctions, set treatment goals and plans, and monitor the longitudinal trajectories of these functions.
The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM),4 the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients (PASS),5 and the Barthel Index (BI)6 have good psychometric properties to assess the UE/LE motor functions, postural control, and BADL, respectively, in patients with stroke7,8,9. However, the total of 72 items from these three measures impedes the feasibility of assessing all three measures within a time-limited therapeutic session. A more efficient testing method is warranted. Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is a modern measurement method. Compared with conventional measurement methods, CAT provides a more reliable estimate of the examinee's level of function in much less time10,11,12. In conventional measurement methods, each examinee receives the same test form (or item sets), in which many items are too difficult or too easy for the examinee. These items provide limited information for estimating the examinee's level of function and are time-intensive for examinees. In contrast, in CAT, each examinee gets a tailored item set, in which the difficulty level of the selected items meets the function level of the examinee. Because these items are tailored for that particular examinee, CAT can provide a more reliable estimate of the examinee's level of function with fewer items and, thus, in much less time. The steps of CAT development are shown in Supplementary File 1: Appendix 1.
Because CAT promises reliable and efficient assessments, the CAT-FAS was developed to improve the administrative efficiency of the three measures previously used (FM, PASS, and BI)13. This paper describes the development and administration of the CAT-FAS. This protocol provides information for researchers to develop their CATs and for prospective users of the CAT-FAS to administer it. We also address the strengths and weaknesses of the CAT-FAS.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:873px;" width="873">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:223px;">Computer</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Any</td>
			<td style="width:353px;"></td>
			<td style="width:172px;">Compatible with software listed below</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">MATLAB software</td>
			<td>The MathWorks Inc.</td>
			<td>http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/</td>
			<td>Numerical computing software, which is used in the Protocol Section 1 (Step 1.3)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Java Development Kit</td>
			<td>Oracle</td>
			<td>https://www.oracle.com/java/</td>
			<td>Programming language, which is used in the Protocol Section 1 (Step 1.5)</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

computerized adaptive testing system of functional assessment of stroke

The computerized adaptive testing system of the functional assessment of stroke (CAT-FAS) can simultaneously assess four functions (motor functions of the upper and lower extremities, postural control, and basic activities of daily living) with sufficient reliability and administrative efficiency. CAT, a modern measurement method, aims to provide a reliable estimate of the examinee's level of function rapidly. CAT administers only a few items whose item difficulties match an examinee's level of function and, thus, the administered items of CAT can provide sufficient information to reliably estimate the examinee's level of function in a short time. The CAT-FAS was developed through four steps: (1) determining the item bank, (2) determining the stopping rules, (3) validating the CAT-FAS, and (4) establishing a platform of online administration. The results of this study indicate that the CAT-FAS has sufficient administrative efficiency (average number of items = 8.5) and reliability (group-level Rasch reliability: 0.88 - 0.93; individual-level Rasch reliability: &#8805;70% of patients had Rasch reliability score &#8805;0.90) to simultaneously assess four functions in patients with stroke. In addition, because the CAT-FAS is a computer-based test, the CAT-FAS has three additional advantages: the automatic calculation of scores, the immediate storage of data, and the easy exporting of data. These advantages of the CAT-FAS will be beneficial to data management for clinicians and researchers.

The results of the simulation showed that the 10 candidate sets of stopping rules had sufficient average Rasch reliability (0.86 - 0.95) and varied administrative efficiency (the average number of items = 6.4 - 17.5). Considering the trade-off between reliability and administrative efficiency, the set of LRI &#60; 0.010 was selected as the optimal set of stopping rules for the CAT-FAS because of its sufficient average Rasch reliability (0.88 - 0.93, see Table 1</s...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke at JoVE.com

Computerized Adaptive Testing System of Functional Assessment of Stroke

Here, we present a protocol to develop the computerized adaptive testing system of the functional assessment of stroke (CAT-FAS). The CAT-FAS can simultaneously assess four functions (two motor functions [upper and lower extremities], postural control, and basic activities of daily living) with sufficient reliability and administrative efficiency.

The computerized adaptive testing system of the functional assessment of stroke (CAT-FAS) can simultaneously assess four functions (motor functions of the ...

The overall goal of this test development study is to develop a computerized adaptive testing system to assess the functions of the upper extremity, lower extremity, balance, and activities of daily living in stroke patients. No other tractive efficiency is found in assessing the functions of upper extremity, lower extremity, balance, and activities of daily living with patients of stroke. The computerized adaptive testing of the functional assessment of stroke was developed to improve the tractive efficiency of the full functions in patients with stroke.Begin by retrieving the secondary and encrypted data from the functional assessment of stroke study to conduct a simulation. In this study, 301 patients were recruited from a medical center rehabilitation ward, and assessed at 14 days post-stroke onset. In each assessment session, patients were assessed by a well-trained occupational therapist using the Fugl Meyer Assessment, the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients, and the Barthel Index.Establish an item bank for the testing system by adopting the bank from the study. Retrieve the item difficulties of all items in the bank, as well as each patient's responses. Also retrieve the ability distribution of the patient's for four functions.Upper extremity motor function, lower extremity motor function, postural control, and basic activities of daily living. Then, determine the operational algorithms for the testing system. Next, adopt the maximum of Posteriori Method for estimating each patient's scores of the four functions with Newton Wraps and iteration, then use the criterion of D optimality for the items selection, select an item with the maximum determinant of the Fischer information matrix from the item bank for administration.Now adopt 10 candidate sets of stopping rules to explore the properties of the testing system via simulation. Then, explore the measurement reliability and efficiency of the system. Finally, develop an online administration platform for the computerized adaptive testing system by writing a computer program to establish a website.Prior to administration, connect the examiner's personal computer, tablet, or smartphone to the online administration platform of the testing system using an internet browser, then login to the administration system. Select data management to access data from previous examinees, or select new examinee to create an account and enter the examinee's name and identification number. After selecting an examinee for the assessment, click start.The select new assessment, or results, to review the results of the examinee's previous assessments. Now, administer the items shown on the screen to the examinee. Rate the examinee's performance or responses by clicking the rating scale shown at the bottom of the screen.Once completed, explain the results from the testing system to the examinee, including the T scores with a 95%interval, the percentile ranks of the T scores, and the reliabilities of the four functions. The results will be calculated and shown automatically by the testing system. This figure shows the process of exploring the measurement reliability and efficiency via the number of items needed for administration of the assessment with ten candidates sets of stopping rules.As seen here, the average rash reliability of the four functions range from 0.88 to 0.93, and the individual level rash reliability shows more than 70%of participants with a rash reliability of 0.90 or greater. Here we see the average number of items needed for administration is 8.5 and that most participants, 66.4%were assessed using 5 to 10 items. Once mass heard of the demonstration of the computerized adaptive testing of the functional assessments of stroke can be done using 10 items or less for most patients.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of development and of the mentration methods of the system to improve the tractive efficiency for assisting the four functions in patients with stroke.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

Compensatory Limb Use and Behavioral Assessment of Motor Skill Learning Following Sensorimotor Cortex Injury in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke

Mouse models have become increasingly popular in the field of behavioral neuroscience, and specifically in studies of experimental stroke. As models advance, it is important to develop sensitive behavioral measures specific to the mouse. The present protocol describes a skilled motor task for use in mouse models of stroke. The Pasta Matrix Reaching Task functions as a versatile and sensitive behavioral assay that permits experimenters to collect accurate outcome data and manipulate limb use to mimic human clinical phenomena including compensatory strategies (i.e., learned non-use) and focused rehabilitative training. When combined with neuroanatomical tools, this task also permits researchers to explore the mechanisms that support behavioral recovery of function (or lack thereof) following stroke. The task is both simple and affordable to set up and conduct, offering a variety of training and testing options for numerous research questions concerning functional outcome following injury. Though the task has been applied to mouse models of stroke, it may also be beneficial in studies of functional outcome in other upper extremity injury models.

Mouse models have become increasingly popular in studies of behavioral neuroscience. As models advance, it is important to develop sensitive behavioral measures specific to the mouse. This protocol describes the Pasta Matrix Reaching Task, which is a skilled motor task for use in mouse models of stroke.

Mouse models have become increasingly popular in the field of behavioral neuroscience, and specifically in studies of experimental stroke. As models ...

Behavioral Assessment of the Aging Mouse Vestibular System

Age related decline in balance performance is associated with deteriorating muscle strength, motor coordination and vestibular function. While a number of studies show changes in balance phenotype with age in rodents, very few isolate the vestibular contribution to balance under either normal conditions or during senescence. We use two standard behavioral tests to characterize the balance performance of mice at defined age points over the lifespan: the rotarod test and the inclined balance beam test. Importantly though, a custom built rotator is also used to stimulate the vestibular system of mice (without inducing overt signs of motion sickness). These two tests have been used to show that changes in vestibular mediated-balance performance are present over the murine lifespan. Preliminary results show that both the rotarod test and the modified balance beam test can be used to identify changes in balance performance during aging as an alternative to more difficult and invasive techniques such as vestibulo-ocular (VOR) measurements.

Motor control and balance performance are known to deteriorate with age. This paper presents a number of standard noninvasive behavioral tests with the addition of a simple rotary stimulus to challenge the vestibular system and show changes in balance performance in a murine model of aging.

Age related decline in balance performance is associated with deteriorating muscle strength, motor coordination and vestibular function. While a number of ...

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Simultaneous  Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses weak electrical currents administered to the scalp to manipulate cortical excitability and, consequently, behavior and brain function. In the last decade, numerous studies have addressed short-term and long-term effects of tDCS on different measures of behavioral performance during motor and cognitive tasks, both in healthy individuals and in a number of different patient populations. So far, however, little is known about the neural underpinnings of tDCS-action in humans with regard to large-scale brain networks. This issue can be addressed by combining tDCS with functional brain imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or electroencephalography (EEG).
In particular, fMRI is the most widely used brain imaging technique to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying cognition and motor functions. Application of tDCS during fMRI allows analysis of the neural mechanisms underlying behavioral tDCS effects with high spatial resolution across the entire brain. Recent studies using this technique identified stimulation induced changes in task-related functional brain activity at the stimulation site&#160;and also in more distant brain regions, which were associated with behavioral improvement. In addition, tDCS administered during resting-state fMRI allowed identification of widespread changes in whole brain functional connectivity.
Future studies using this combined protocol should yield new insights into the mechanisms of tDCS action in health and disease and new options for more targeted application of tDCS in research and clinical settings. The present manuscript describes this novel technique in a step-by-step fashion, with a focus on technical aspects of tDCS administered during fMRI.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique. It has successfully been used in basic research and clinical settings to modulate brain function in humans. This article describes the implementation of tDCS and simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to investigate the neural basis of tDCS effects.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that uses weak electrical currents administered to the scalp ...

Assessment of Murine Exercise Endurance Without the Use of a Shock Grid: An Alternative to Forced Exercise

Using laboratory mouse models, the molecular pathways responsible for the metabolic benefits of endurance exercise are beginning to be defined. The most common method for assessing exercise endurance in mice utilizes forced running on a motorized treadmill equipped with a shock grid. Animals who quit running are pushed by the moving treadmill belt onto a grid that delivers an electric foot shock; to escape the negative stimulus, the mice return to running on the belt. However, avoidance behavior and psychological stress due to use of a shock apparatus can interfere with quantitation of running endurance, as well as confound measurements of postexercise serum hormone and cytokine levels. Here, we demonstrate and validate a refined method to measure running endurance in na&#239;ve C57BL/6 laboratory mice on a motorized treadmill without utilizing a shock grid. When mice are preacclimated to the treadmill, they run voluntarily with gait speeds specific to each mouse. Use of the shock grid is replaced by gentle encouragement by a human operator using a tongue depressor, coupled with sensitivity to the voluntary willingness to run on the part of the mouse. Clear endpoints for quantifying running time-to-exhaustion for each mouse are defined and reflected in behavioral signs of exhaustion such as splayed posture and labored breathing. This method is a humane refinement which also decreases the confounding effects of stress on experimental parameters.

A method to assess exercise endurance in laboratory mice without the use of a shock grid is demonstrated. This method is a humane refinement that can decrease the confounding effects of stress on experimental parameters.

Using laboratory mouse models, the molecular pathways responsible for the metabolic benefits of endurance exercise are beginning to be defined. The most ...

Measuring Neural and Behavioral Activity During Ongoing Computerized Social Interactions: An Examination of Event-Related Brain Potentials

Social exclusion is a complex social phenomenon with powerful negative consequences. Given the impact of social exclusion on mental and emotional health, an understanding of how perceptions of social exclusion develop over the course of a social interaction is important for advancing treatments aimed at lessening the harmful costs of being excluded. To date, most scientific examinations of social exclusion have looked at exclusion after a social interaction has been completed. While this has been very helpful in developing an understanding of what happens to a person following exclusion, it has not helped to clarify the moment-to-moment dynamics of the process of social exclusion. Accordingly, the current protocol was developed to obtain an improved understanding of social exclusion by examining the patterns of event-related brain activation that are present during social interactions. This protocol allows greater precision and sensitivity in detailing the social processes that lead people to feel as though they have been excluded from a social interaction. Importantly, the current protocol can be adapted to include research projects that vary the nature of exclusionary social interactions by altering how frequently participants are included, how long the periods of exclusion will last in each interaction, and when exclusion will take place during the social interactions. Further, the current protocol can be used to examine variables and constructs beyond those related to social exclusion. This capability to address a variety of applications across psychology by obtaining both neural and behavioral data during ongoing social interactions suggests the present protocol could be at the core of a developing area of scientific inquiry related to social interactions.

Research on social exclusion has grown tremendously in recent years. As the field expands, it is imperative to develop sophisticated methodologies allowing for the simultaneous measurement of neural and behavioral outcomes during social exclusion. This protocol utilizes event-related brain potentials to record ongoing neural activity during computerized social interactions.

Social exclusion is a complex social phenomenon with powerful negative consequences. Given the impact of social exclusion on mental and emotional health, ...

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimization for Mouse Strain and Testing Environment

The Morris water maze (MWM) is a commonly used task to assess hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory in transgenic mouse models of disease, including neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. However, the background strain of the mouse model used can have a substantial effect on the observed behavioral phenotype, with some strains exhibiting superior learning ability relative to others. To ensure differences between transgene negative and transgene positive mice can be detected, identification of a training procedure sensitive to the background strain is essential. Failure to tailor the MWM protocol to the background strain of the mouse model may lead to under- or over- training, thereby masking group differences in probe trials. Here, a MWM protocol tailored for use with the F1 FVB/N x 129S6 background is described. This is a frequently used background strain to study the age-dependent effects of mutant P301L tau (rTg(TauP301L)4510 mice) on the memory deficits associated with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease. Also described is a strategy to re-optimize, as dictated by the particular testing environment utilized.

This manuscript describes a Morris water maze (MWM) protocol tailored for use with a commonly used mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The MWM is widely used in transgenic mouse models. Implementation of a procedure sensitive to the background strain of the mouse model is essential for detecting group differences.

 The Morris water maze (MWM) is a commonly used task to assess hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory in transgenic mouse models of disease, ...

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device (ALDM) Test Systems

Fagot &#38; Paleressompoulle1 and Fagot &#38; Bonte2 have published an automated learning device (ALDM) for the study of cognitive abilities of monkeys maintained in semi-free ranging conditions. Data accumulated during the last five years have consistently demonstrated the efficiency of this protocol to investigate individual/physical cognition in monkeys, and have further shown that this procedure reduces stress level during animal testing3. This paper demonstrates that networks of ALDM can also be used to investigate different facets of social cognition and in-group expressed behaviors in monkeys, and describes three illustrative protocols developed for that purpose. The first study demonstrates how ethological assessments of social behavior and computerized assessments of cognitive performance could be integrated to investigate the effects of socially exhibited moods on the cognitive performance of individuals. The second study shows that batteries of ALDM running in parallel can provide unique information on the influence of the presence of others on task performance. Finally, the last study shows that networks of ALDM test units can also be used to study issues related to social transmission and cultural evolution. Combined together, these three studies demonstrate clearly that ALDM testing is a highly promising experimental tool for bridging the gap in the animal literature between research on individual cognition and research on social cognition.

Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems

Fagot &#38; Paleressompoulle1 have published an automated learning device (ALDM) aimed at testing individual cognitive abilities in semi-free ranging monkeys. The main goal of our protocol is to use a network of ALDM test units to study social cognition in non-human primates.

Fagot &#38; Paleressompoulle1 and Fagot &#38; Bonte2 have published an automated learning device (ALDM) for the study of cognitive abilities of monkeys ...

Combined Invasive Subcortical and Non-invasive Surface Neurophysiological Recordings for the Assessment of Cognitive and Emotional Functions in Humans

In spite of the success in applying non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG), magneto-encephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for extracting crucial information about the mechanism of the human brain, such methods remain insufficient to provide information about physiological processes reflecting cognitive and emotional functions at the subcortical level. In this respect, modern invasive clinical approaches in humans, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), offer a tremendous possibility to record subcortical brain activity, namely local field potentials (LFPs) representing coherent activity of neural assemblies from localized basal ganglia or thalamic regions. Notwithstanding the fact that invasive approaches in humans are applied only after medical indication and thus recorded data correspond to altered brain circuits, valuable insight can be gained regarding the presence of intact brain functions in relation to brain oscillatory activity and the pathophysiology of disorders in response to experimental cognitive paradigms. In this direction, a growing number of DBS studies in patients with Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD) target not only motor functions but also higher level processes such as emotions, decision-making, attention, memory and sensory perception. Recent clinical trials also emphasize the role of DBS as an alternative treatment in neuropsychiatric disorders ranging from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) to chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC). Consequently, we focus on the use of combined invasive (LFP) and non-invasive (EEG) human brain recordings in assessing the role of cortical-subcortical structures in cognitive and emotional processing trough experimental paradigms (e.g. speech stimuli with emotional connotation or paradigms of cognitive control such as the Flanker task), for patients undergoing DBS treatment.

The present protocol aims at assessing cognitive-emotional functions in the basal ganglia by simultaneous neurophysiological recording of local field potentials and non-invasive brain cortical activity (EEG). The procedure is exemplified by the use of paradigms involving speech stimuli with emotional connotation or the Flanker task involving cognitive control.

In spite of the success in applying non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG), magneto-encephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging ...

Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers

Reciprocal social behavior (RSB), an early-emerging capacity to engage in social contingency&#8212;which is foundational for both social learning and social competency&#8212;is hypothesized to be disrupted in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ability to quantify the full range of RSB during the toddler period, when core symptoms of ASD often arise, is pivotal for evaluating early risk for ASD, characterizing social development, and tracking response to early interventions. However, important parameters of variation in RSB&#8212;especially prior to the development of verbal language&#8212;can be nuanced and difficult to characterize using questionnaire-based methods. To address this challenge, we developed a system for measuring quantitative variation in RSB in toddlers (ages 18 - 30 months) that incorporated not only standard questionnaire data from caregivers but also a novel set of video-referenced items, through which a respondent compares the behavior of a subject to that observed in a short video of a young child manifesting a highly competent level of social communication. Testing of this measure in a general population sample of twins confirmed that both the video-referenced items and the RSB Total Score (video-referenced items plus non-video-referenced items) displayed unimodal, continuous distributions, strong internal consistency, marked preservation of individual differences, and extremely high heritability. In addition, video-referenced items were particularly sensitive to quantifying incremental changes in social communication, a major element of RSB, over the course of early childhood development. Scores on the vrRSB clearly differentiated children with and without ASD and these data comprise an initial validation of this promising method for quantifying early RSB&#8212;cross-sectionally, over time, and as a function of early intervention.

Here we present a protocol for administration of the video-referenced rating of reciprocal social behavior (vrRSB) using a paper or online version. This survey quantifies RSB, a prerequisite for social competence, in toddlers through &#34;video-referenced&#34; items whereby a subject is compared to a reference child shown in a three-minute video.

Reciprocal social behavior (RSB), an early-emerging capacity to engage in social contingency&#8212;which is foundational for both social learning and ...

Short Session High Intensity Interval Training and Treadmill Assessment in Aged Mice

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as a therapeutic approach to prevent, delay, or ameliorate frailty. In particular short session HIIT, with regimens less than or equal to 10 min is of particular interest as several human studies feature routines as short as a few minutes a couple times a week. However, there is a paucity of animal studies that model the impacts of short session HIIT. Here, we describe a methodology for an individually tailored and progressive short session HIIT regimen of 10 min given 3 days a week for aged mice using an inclined treadmill. Our methodology also includes protocols for treadmill assessment. Mice are initially acclimatized to the treadmill and then given baseline flat and uphill treadmill assessments. Exercise sessions begin with a 3 min warm-up, then three intervals of 1 min at a fast pace, followed by 1 min at an active recovery pace. Following these intervals, the mice are given a final segment that starts at the fast pace and accelerates for 1 min. The HIIT protocol is individually tailored as the speed and intensity for each mouse are determined based upon initial anaerobic assessment scores. Additionally, we detail the conditions for increasing or decreasing the intensity for individual mice depending on performance. Finally, intensity is increased for all mice every two weeks. We previously reported in this protocol enhanced physical performance in aged male mice and here show it also increases treadmill performance in aged female mice. Advantages of our protocol include low administration time (about 15 min per 6 mice, 3 days a week), strategy for individualizing for mice to better model prescribed exercise, and a modular design that allows for the addition or removal of the number and length of intervals to titrate exercise benefits.

Short session (&#8804;10 min) high intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as an alternative to longer exercise modalities, yet the shorter variants are rarely modeled in animal studies. Here, we describe a 10 min, 3 day a week, uphill treadmill HIIT protocol that enhances physical performance in male and female aged mice.

High intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as a therapeutic approach to prevent, delay, or ameliorate frailty. In particular short session HIIT, ...