Os autores agradecem o apoio e conhecimento técnico e logístico prestado por Rose Tobias, Younghee Ahn, e David N. Ruskin. O trabalho aqui descrito foi financiado pela Fundação Hospitalar do Alberta Children e Instituto de Pesquisa Hospital do Alberta Children.

Todos os procedimentos foram realizados de acordo com o Comité de Cuidados Animais do Canadá e aprovado pela Universidade do Animal Care Committee da Calgary. 1. Preparação Animais <ol><li> Isolar os ratos durante a noite (12 horas) antes do teste. Para fazer isso, coloque toda a BTBR e camundongos B6 (P35-P40) necessários para a análise experimental em gaiolas por si só, um dia antes do teste. </li><li> Coloque a ratinhos isolado na análise comportamental ambiente 30 min antes do teste de modo a que os animais se habituar ao novo ambiente. </li></ol> 2. Equipamento Preparação <ol><li> Coloque as 30 x 30 cm de Plexiglas caixa com uma tampa removível na sala de teste. Coloque a caixa sobre a mesa e posicione a câmera de vídeo para um ângulo de 45 ° a partir do fundo; esta localização da câmara de permitir a visualização de todo o pavimento da câmara e do rato. Use uma luz de fundo infravermelho para ajudar a minimizar o brilho da parede docaixa. </li><li> Use uma câmera de vídeo que possui uma função de zoom elevado com capacidade de infravermelhos para otimizar as filmagens em um ambiente de baixo lux. Foque a câmara no gabinete ampliando a imagem de modo a que os ratos são visualizadas em toda a caixa. </li><li> Cubra todo o piso da caixa com cama de serragem (deve ser de aproximadamente 1 centímetro de profundidade). </li></ol> 3 Procedimento de Teste <ol><li> Coloque um par de intra-linhagem de camundongos (BTBR - BTBR ou B6-B6) dentro da caixa de teste. </li><li> Desligue as luzes na sala de testes. </li><li> Comece a câmera de vídeo para gravar e sair do quarto. Isto irá evitar a influência experimentador no comportamento dos ratinhos. Registre a atividade por 11 min. </li><li> Uma vez que a gravação está completa, re-entrar na sala de testes e retornar os ratos para suas gaiolas originais. </li><li> Descarte a roupa de cama de serragem, lave a caixa de teste inteira com 70% de etanol, e coloque novas camas serragem no fundo do testegabinete. </li><li> Repetir todo o procedimento para o resto dos pares intra-mancha e devolver os ratos às suas gaiolas originais. </li></ol> Nota: Para verificar a confiabilidade dos dados inchworming, o procedimento pode ser repetido nos dias seguintes com diferentes combinações de pares B6-B6 BTBR-BTBR e. Isto irá assegurar que o comportamento observado não é dependente do parceiro específico no recinto, mas o indivíduo inchworming. 4. Análise de Dados <ol><li> Inchworming é definido como o movimento sincronizado para dentro e para fora de frente-e Traseiro-pés do animal, com um mínimo de um co-ocorrência para dentro e, em seguida, movimento para fora posterior que efetivamente desloca a roupa de cama. Assistir manualmente e marcar cada vídeo duas vezes (uma vez para cada rato) para avaliar a duração total, frequência e latência para lagarta nos 10 min de vídeo. Scoring manual de inchworming duração, frequência e latência deve basear-se no seguimentoing definições: Inchworming Duração: É definido como o tempo total de cada rato gasta envolvida no comportamento inchworming. Para marcar este aspecto da inchworming, use um temporizador que pode ser iniciado e interrompido. Comece tempo quando o mouse começa a lagarta e parar o cronômetro quando o mouse pára inchworming. Quando e se o mouse começa a lagarta de novo, re-start e re-parar o cronómetro. Repetir o arranque e paragem do temporizador para o período de duração do período de observação de 10 min de cada vez os inchworms rato. Isso irá gerar uma pontuação duração inchworming que é 0:00-10:00 min. Inchworming Freqüência: É definido como o número de vezes que o rato se envolve no comportamento inchworming no período de observação de 10 min. A única contagem é concedido a cada vez que o mouse arranques e paragens inchworming. A pontuação freqüência inchworming será um número entre 0 e ∞. Latência para Inchworm: É definido como o tempo ªno passa anterior ao primeiro aparecimento de inchworming. Inicie o cronômetro quando o vídeo começa, este será o tempo de 00:00, e parar o cronômetro quando o inchworms rato pela primeira vez. Se o mouse não exibe o comportamento inchworming a latência para lagarta será às 10:00 h. Ao analisar a latência para lagarta, uma pontuação 0:01-10:00 min será obtida. Os ratinhos que não conseguem inchworm para a duração do período de teste deve ser removido a partir da população de amostra para assegurar que os resultados são pertinentes para uma população de ratinhos que exibem o comportamento inchworming. </li> <li> Calcule a freqüência total e duração da inchworming para cada rato no vídeo. Calcular o tempo necessário para o primeiro ratinho em que o par inchworm para a latência para inchworm para esse par específico dos ratos. Estes parâmetros são com base no trabalho metodológico prévio relacionado a comportamentos repetitivos de escavação em camundongos 6. </li><li> Calcule a duração média, freqüência,e latência para cavar para cada grupo experimental na análise (ie BTBR vs B6). Use uma ANOVA ou teste t para comparar os dados entre estirpes / grupos experimentais. Nota: Quando o procedimento seja concluído no segundo dia, use uma série de medidas repetidas ANOVA para garantir que não houve efeitos posterior julgamento ou efeitos de emparelhamento. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>McFarlane, H. G., Kusek, G. K., Yan, M., Phoenix, J. L., Bolivar, V. J., Crawley, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Autism-like+behavioral+phenotypes+in+BTBR+T+tf/J+mice.">Autism-like behavioral phenotypes in BTBR T+tf/J mice.</a> Genes, Brain, and Behavior. 7, 152-163 (2008).</li><li>Crawley, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Designing+mouse+behavioral+tasks+relevant+to+autistic-like+behaviors.">Designing mouse behavioral tasks relevant to autistic-like behaviors.</a> Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews. 10 (4), 248-258 (2004).</li><li>Deacon, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Digging+and+marble+burying+in+mice:+simple+methods+for+in+vivo+identification+of+biological+impacts.">Digging and marble burying in mice: simple methods for in vivo identification of biological impacts.</a> Nature Protocols. 1 (1), 122-124 (2006).</li><li>Thomas, A., Burant, A., Bui, N., Graham, D., Yuva-Paylor, L. A., Paylor, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Marble+burying+reflects+a+repetitive+and+perseverative+behavior+more+than+novelty-induced+anxiety.">Marble burying reflects a repetitive and perseverative behavior more than novelty-induced anxiety.</a> Psychopharmacology. 204, 361-373 (2009).</li><li>Dudek, B. C., Adams, N., Boice, R., Abbott, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+influences+on+digging+behaviours+in+mice+(Mus+musculus)+in+laboratory+and+seminatural+settings.">Genetic influences on digging behaviours in mice (Mus musculus) in laboratory and seminatural settings.</a> Journal of Comparative Psychology. 97 (3), 249-259 (1983).</li><li>Webster, D., Williams, M. H., Owens, R., Geiger, V., Dewsbury, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Digging+behavior+in+12+taxa+of+muriod+rodents.">Digging behavior in 12 taxa of muriod rodents.</a> Animal Learning and Behavior. 9 (2), 173-177 (1981).</li><li>Pobbe, R. H., Pearson, B. L., Defensor, E., Bolivar, V. J., Blanchard, D. C., Blanchard, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+social+behaviours+of+C57BL/6J+versus+BTBR+inbred+mouse+strains+in+the+visible+burrow+system.">Expression of social behaviours of C57BL/6J versus BTBR inbred mouse strains in the visible burrow system.</a> Behavioural Brain Research. 214, 443-449 (2010).</li><li>Lewis, M. H., Tanimura, Y., Lee, L., Bodfish, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+models+of+restricted+repetitive+behavior+in+autism.">Animal models of restricted repetitive behavior in autism.</a> Behavioural Brain Research. 176, 66-74 (2007).</li><li>Silverman, J. L., Yang, M., Lord, C., Crawley, J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioural+phenotyping+assays+for+mouse+models+of+autism.">Behavioural phenotyping assays for mouse models of autism.</a> Nature Reviews. 11, 490-502 (2010).</li><li>Deacon, R., Rawlins, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hippocampal+lesions,+species-typical+behaviours+and+anxiety+in+mice.">Hippocampal lesions, species-typical behaviours and anxiety in mice.</a> Behavioural Brain Research. 156, 241-249 (2005).</li><li>Pearson, B. L., 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=Motor+and+cognitive+sterotypies+in+the+BTBR+T+tf/J+mouse+model+of+autism.">Motor and cognitive sterotypies in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model of autism.</a> Genes, Brain, and Behavior. 10, 228-235 (2011).</li><li>Pobbe, R. H., Defensor, E., Pearson, B. L., Bolivar, V. J., Blanchard, D. C., Blanchard, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=General+and+social+anxiety+in+the+BTBR+T++tf/J+mouse+strain.">General and social anxiety in the BTBR T+ tf/J mouse strain.</a> Behavioural Brain Research. 216 (1), 446-451 (2011).</li></ol>

Os autores não têm nada a revelar.

Inchworming é uma nova medida de comportamento repetitivo, que pode ser usado para estudar muitas doenças que exibem estereotipias como CIA. Há 4 etapas que são de importância fundamental para a geração de dados confiáveis ​​inchworming do protocolo de interação social, juvenil modificação: 1) o período de isolamento prolongado é essencial para o teste inchworming e não deve ser removido do protocolo ou encurtado. Este requisito é específico para o teste de inchworming em pares descritos aqui. 2) A ...

Embora a fisiopatologia dos transtornos do espectro do autismo (ASD) ainda não está claro, o diagnóstico depende da presença de três grandes categorias de sintomas: reciprocidade social anormal, deficiência na comunicação e repetitivos / comportamentos estereotipados 1. A maioria dos modelos de roedores são incapazes de reproduzir simultaneamente todos os três sintomas em um único animal. Assim, modelos que podem simular de forma confiável alguns ou todos os aspectos da doença possuem um grande valor para o desenvolvimento de estratégias preventivas e terapêuticas eficazes. Um modelo que faz exibir todos os três aspectos da ASD é o mouse 1,2 BTBR. Em combinação com vocalizações ultra-sônicas e ensaios abordagem sócio, o teste de interação social juvenil é comumente usado para caracterizar modelos do rato da ASD pediátrica; Estes testes medida diminuiu e comportamentos sociais anormais que representam os principais recursos do ASD. Além do teste de interacção social, juvenil, muitos outrostestes foram utilizados para medir os comportamentos estereotipados em modelos animais de ASD. Por exemplo, o teste de enterramento em mármore, que examina a tendência de um animal para deslocar o material da cama usando o focinho e as patas dianteiras no esforço para cobrir um objecto, é pensado para medir comportamentos estereotipados compulsivos que ocorrem em resposta a estímulos aversivo 3,4. Assim, os testes de escavação foram implementadas para quantificar esse comportamento repetitivo em modelos animais ASD e diferentes espécies de roedores 3,5-7. Comportamentos de escavação são definidas como ações voltadas óbvios do focinho ou patas para deslocar materiais de cama e ter a hipótese de ser um parâmetro sensível do comportamento motor repetitivo 4. Aqui, apresentamos um novo tipo de escavação, o que nós chamamos de &quot;inchworming&quot;, na linhagem BTBR de camundongos. A caracterização deste novo comportamento pode proporcionar uma medida robusta de um comportamento repetitivo do motor que pode ser usado para mais validation de modelos de roedores, como ASD, doença de Huntington ou comportamento obsessivo compulsivo 8,9. Definimos &quot;inchworming&quot; como, pelo menos, um movimento sincronizado das partes dianteiras e-membros pélvicos para dentro seguido por um movimento sincronizado para o exterior o que leva ao deslocamento do material do leito. Isso difere do comportamento típico de escavação de muitas maneiras. Em primeiro lugar, o comportamento inchworming é geralmente observado como uma combinação de episódios em vez de um único acontecimento isolado. Em contraste, a escavação pode ocorrer como movimento coordenado único, quer do traseiro ou patas dianteiras 3. Além disso, os movimentos inchworming tendem a ocorrer horizontalmente no pavimento do compartimento, ao contrário das posições estacionárias, que são característicos de escavação comportamentos. Finalmente, o comportamento inchworming descrito abaixo ocorre com freqüência na linhagem consanguínea BTBR de camundongos, mas raramente é identificado na estirpe de controlo B6, enquanto que os comportamentos típicos de escavação são comuns em cepas B6 e BTBR de ratos <sup&gt; 10. Os procedimentos de teste inchworming descritas neste estudo representam modificações de um protocolo de interação social juvenil padrão 1. Dado que a sepultura de mármore, cavando, eo jogo juvenil têm valor estabelecido para medir o comportamento anormal em modelos do rato da ASD, o comportamento inchworming complementa essas medidas previamente definidas de comportamentos estereotipados. Em particular, o comportamento inchworming fornece uma medida útil de menores estereotipias motoras ordem que são comumente identificados na ASD 8,11. Além disso, este novo procedimento inchworming pode proporcionar aos investigadores uma ferramenta adicional valioso para a análise do comportamento motor repetitivas relevantes para perturbações do desenvolvimento, tais como TEA.

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inchworming: a novel motor stereotypy in the btbr t+ itpr3tf/j mouse model of autism

Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (ASD) é um distúrbio do desenvolvimento neurológico comportamentalmente definida, caracterizada pela diminuição da interação recíproca social, comunicação anormal, e comportamentos repetitivos com interesse restrito. Como o diagnóstico é baseado em critérios clínicos, os modelos de roedores potencialmente relevantes desta doença heterogênea idealmente deve recapitular esses traços comportamentais diversos. O tf BTBR T + Itpr3 / J (BTBR) do rato é um modelo animal estabelecido de ASD, exibindo comportamentos repetitivos, como o aumento da preparação, bem como a inflexibilidade cognitiva. Com relação à interação social e interesse, o teste de jogo juvenil tem sido utilizada em vários modelos de roedores da ASD. Aqui, mostramos que quando os ratos BTBR são testados em um gabinete juvenil interação social contendo cama de serragem, eles exibem um movimento de escavação síncrona repetitivo. Este comportamento motor repetitivo, referido como &quot;inchworming&quot;, foi chamadopor causa da natureza dos movimentos estereotipados exibidos pelos ratinhos enquanto movendo-se horizontalmente ao longo do chão. Camundongos Inchworming devem usar seus frente-e membros pélvicos em sincronia para deslocar a roupa de cama, realizando um mínimo de um interior e um movimento para fora. Embora ambos BTBR e C56BL/6J (B6) camundongos apresentam esse comportamento, ratos BTBR demonstrar uma duração significativamente maior e frequência de inchworming e uma diminuição da latência para iniciar inchworming quando colocado em um gabinete de camas. Nós concluímos que este comportamento recentemente descrito fornece uma medida de um motor de estereotipia repetitivo que pode ser facilmente medido em modelos animais de ASD.

A versão modificada do teste de jogo juvenil descrito aqui pode ser usado para observar e analisar o comportamento de escavação repetitivo romance denominado inchworming. Inchworming está exposto a uma extensão muito maior por ratos BTBR que os controles B6. Num típico 10 min sessão, os ratinhos BTBR irá exibir o comportamento distinto inchworming (síncrono para dentro e para fora, o movimento das patas em um esforço para substituir o leito de serradura), por cerca de 5 minutos, ou de metade do período de obs...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism at JoVE.com

Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism

Inchworming é um movimento de escavação síncrona altamente repetitivo exibido pelo BTBR T + ITPR 3TF / J (BTBR) camundongos quando colocado em uma gaiola de testes com roupa de cama de serragem suficiente. O procedimento é uma modificação do protocolo de interacção social, juvenil e é utilizado aqui para avaliar estereotipias motoras repetitivas relevantes para Transtorno do espectro do autismo.

Inchworming: A Novel Motor Estereotipia no BTBR<em&gt; T<sup&gt; +</sup&gt; Itpr3<sup&gt; Tf</sup</em&gt; / J Rato modelo de autismo

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by decreased reciprocal social interaction, abnormal ...

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Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism

11.5K visualizações.  University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine.  Inchworming é um movimento de escavação síncrona altamente repetitivo exibido pelo BTBR T + ITPR 3TF / J (BTBR) camundongos quando colocado em uma gaiola de testes com roupa de cama de serragem suficiente. O procedimento é uma modificação do protocolo de interacção social, juvenil e é utilizado aqui para avaliar estereotipias motoras repetitivas relevantes para Transtorno do espectro do autismo. 

Vídeo: Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism

Fat Preference: A Novel Model of Eating Behavior in Rats

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States of America, with more than a third of the population classified as obese. One factor contributing to this multifactorial disorder is the consumption of a high fat diet, a behavior that has been shown to increase both caloric intake and body fat content. However, the elements regulating preference for high fat food over other foods remain understudied.
To overcome this deficit, a model to quickly and easily test changes in the preference for dietary fat was developed. The Fat Preference model presents rats with a series of choices between foods with differing fat content. Like humans, rats have a natural bias toward consuming high fat food, making the rat model ideal for translational studies. Changes in preference can be ascribed to the effect of either genetic differences or pharmacological interventions. This model allows for the exploration of determinates of fat preference and screening pharmacotherapeutic agents that influence acquisition of obesity.

Dietary fat content influences both energy intake and body fat composition in mammals. By examining rats&#8217; preference for high fat food in a series of choice experiments, it is possible to test genetic differences and pharmacological interventions on their preference for high fat food.

Preferência de Gordura: Um Modelo Novel de comportamento alimentar em ratos

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States of America, with more than a third of the population classified as obese. One factor contributing to ...

Comportamento

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.

Compensatória Limb Uso e Avaliação Comportamental de Habilidade Aprendizagem Motora Após Lesão Sensorimotor Cortex em um modelo do rato de Acidente Vascular Cerebral Isquêmico

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

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In addition to impairments in social communication and the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, deficits in sensory processing are now recognized as a core symptom in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our ability to perceive and interact with the external world is rooted in sensory processing. For example, listening to a conversation entails processing the auditory cues coming from the speaker (speech content, prosody, syntax) as well as the associated visual information (facial expressions, gestures). Collectively, the &#8220;integration&#8221; of these multisensory (i.e., combined audiovisual) pieces of information results in better comprehension. Such multisensory integration has been shown to be strongly dependent upon the temporal relationship of the paired stimuli. Thus, stimuli that occur in close temporal proximity are highly likely to result in behavioral and perceptual benefits &#8211; gains believed to be reflective of the perceptual system&#39;s judgment of the likelihood that these two stimuli came from the same source. Changes in this temporal integration are expected to strongly alter perceptual processes, and are likely to diminish the ability to accurately perceive and interact with our world. Here, a battery of tasks designed to characterize various aspects of sensory and multisensory temporal processing in children with ASD is described. In addition to its utility in autism, this battery has great potential for characterizing changes in sensory function in other clinical populations, as well as being used to examine changes in these processes across the lifespan.

We describe how to implement a battery of behavioral tasks to examine the processing and integration of sensory stimuli in children with ASD. The goal is to characterize individual differences in temporal processing of simple auditory and visual stimuli and relate these to higher order perceptual skills like speech perception.

Teste de função sensorial e multisensorial de crianças com distúrbios do espectro do autismo

In addition to impairments in social communication and the presence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors, deficits in sensory processing are ...

Paw-Dragging: a Novel, Sensitive Analysis of the Mouse Cylinder Test

The cylinder test is routinely used to predict focal ischemic damage to the forelimb motor cortex in rodents. When placed in the cylinder, rodents explore by rearing and touching the walls of the cylinder with their forelimb paws for postural support. Following ischemic injury to the forelimb sensorimotor cortex, rats rely more heavily on their unaffected forelimb paw for postural support resulting in fewer touches with their affected paw which is termed forelimb asymmetry. In contrast, focal ischemic damage in the mouse brain fails to result in comparable consistent deficits in forelimb asymmetry. While forelimb asymmetry deficits are infrequently observed, mice do demonstrate a novel behaviour post stroke termed &#8220;paw-dragging&#8221;. Paw-dragging is the tendency for a mouse to drag its affected paw along the cylinder wall rather than directly push off from the wall when dismounting from a rear to a four-legged stance. We have previously demonstrated that paw-dragging behaviour is highly sensitive to small cortical ischemic injuries to the forelimb motor cortex. Here we provide a detailed protocol for paw-dragging analysis. We define what a paw-drag is and demonstrate how to quantify paw-dragging behaviour. The cylinder test is a simple and inexpensive test to administer and does not require pre-training or food deprivation strategies. In using paw-dragging analysis with the cylinder test, it fills a niche for predicting cortical ischemic injuries such as photothrombosis and Endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced ischemia &#8211; two models that are ever-increasing in popularity and produce smaller focal injuries than middle cerebral artery occlusion. Finally, measuring paw-dragging behaviour in the cylinder test will allow studies of functional recovery after cortical injury using a wide cohort of transgenic mouse strains where previous forelimb asymmetry analysis has failed to detect consistent deficits.

Classical forelimb asymmetry analysis of the cylinder test is routinely used to assess behavioural deficits in rats following brain injury or stroke; however, it fails to detect consistent deficits in mice. This study demonstrates that quantifying paw-dragging behaviour is a more sensitive analysis of brain injury in mice.

Pata-Arrastando: a Novel, análise de sensibilidade do mouse cilindro de ensaio

The cylinder test is routinely used to predict focal ischemic damage to the forelimb motor cortex in rodents. When placed in the cylinder, rodents explore ...

Electrophysiological Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE) Measuring Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) in Mouse Hindlimb Muscles

Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are electrophysiological techniques that can be used to monitor the functional status of a motor unit pool in vivo. These measures can provide insight into the normal development and degeneration of the neuromuscular system. These measures have clear translational potential because they are routinely applied in diagnostic and clinical human studies. We present electrophysiological techniques similar to those employed in humans to allow recordings of mouse sciatic nerve function. The CMAP response represents the electrophysiological output from a muscle or group of muscles following supramaximal stimulation of a peripheral nerve. MUNE is an electrophysiological technique that is based on modifications of the CMAP response. MUNE is a calculated value that represents the estimated number of motor neurons or axons (motor control input) supplying the muscle or group of muscles being tested. We present methods for recording CMAP responses from the proximal leg muscles using surface recording electrodes following the stimulation of the sciatic nerve in mice. An incremental MUNE technique is described using submaximal stimuli to determine the average single motor unit potential (SMUP) size. MUNE is calculated by dividing the CMAP amplitude (peak-to-peak) by the SMUP amplitude (peak-to-peak). These electrophysiological techniques allow repeated measures in both neonatal and adult mice in such a manner that facilitates rapid analysis and data collection while reducing the number of animals required for experimental testing. Furthermore, these measures are similar to those recorded in human studies allowing more direct comparisons.

Electrophysiological Motor Unit Number Estimation MUNE Measuring Compound Muscle Action Potential CMAP in Mouse Hindlimb Muscles

We present refined protocols that allow in vivo monitoring of motor unit function in the mouse. Techniques to measure compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) in the mouse hind limb muscles innervated by the sciatic nerve are described.

Eletrofisiológico Unidade Motor Número Estimação (MUNE) Medição Potencial Composto Muscle Ação (CMAP) nos músculos dos membros posteriores Rato

Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are electrophysiological techniques that can be used to monitor the ...

A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment option for Parkinson&#39;s disease. In our lab we established a protocol to screen different neurostimulation patterns in hemiparkinsonian (unilateral lesioned) rats. It consists of creating a unilateral Parkinson&#39;s lesion by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right medial forebrain bundle, implanting chronic stimulation electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus and evaluating motor outcomes at the end of 24 hr periods of cable-bound external neurostimulation. The stimulation was conducted with constant current stimulation. The amplitude was set 20% below the individual threshold for side effects. The motor outcome evaluation was done by the assessment of spontaneous paw use in the cylinder test according to Shallert and by the assessment of skilled reaching in the staircase test according to Montoya. This protocol describes in detail the training in the staircase box, the cylinder test, as well as the use of both in hemiparkinsonian rats. The use of both tests is necessary, because the staircase test seems to be more sensitive for fine motor skill impairment and exhibits greater sensitivity to change during neurostimulation. The combination of the unilateral Parkinson model and the two behavioral tests allows the assessment of different stimulation parameters in a standardized way.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment option for Parkinson's disease. We established a study design to screen novel stimulation paradigms in rats. The protocol describes the use of the staircase test and cylinder test for motor outcome assessment in DBS treated hemiparkinsonian rats.

Uma nova abordagem para avaliar o resultado Motor de profunda do cérebro dos efeitos de estimulação no Rato Hemiparkinsonian: Escadaria e cilindro de ensaio

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment option for Parkinson&#39;s disease. In our lab we established a protocol to ...

Novel Object Exploration as a Potential Assay for Higher Order Repetitive Behaviors in Mice

Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disrupt the lives of affected individuals. RRBs are commonly split into lower-order and higher-order components, with lower order RRBs consisting of motor stereotypies and higher order RRBs consisting of perseverative and sequencing behaviors. Higher order RRBs are challenging to model in mice. Current assays for RRBs in mice focus primarily on the lower order components, making basic biomedical research into potential treatments or interventions for higher-order RRBs difficult. Here we describe a new assay, novel object exploration. This assay uses a basic open-field arena with four novel objects placed around the perimeter. The test mouse is allowed to freely explore the arena and the order in which the mouse investigates the novel objects is recorded. From these data, patterned sequences of exploration can be identified, as can the most preferred object for each mouse. The representative data shared here and past results using the novel object exploration assay illustrate that inbred mouse strains do demonstrate different behavior in this assay and that strains with elevated lower order RRBs also show elevated patterned behavior. As such, the novel object exploration assay appears to possess good face validity for higher order RRBs in humans and may be a valuable assay for future studies investigating novel therapeutics for ASD.

Higher order restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) disrupt the lives of affected individuals. These behaviors are challenging to model in rodents, making basic biomedical research into potential treatments or interventions for RRBs difficult. Here we describe novel object exploration as a potential assay for higher order RRBs in mice.

Exploração objeto romance como um ensaio de Potencial de ordem superior comportamentos repetitivos em Ratos

Restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disrupt the lives of affected individuals.  RRBs are ...

The "Motor" in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task

This protocol describes a modified serial reaction time (SRT) task used to study implicit motor sequence learning. Unlike the classic SRT task that involves finger-pressing movements while sitting, the modified SRT task requires participants to step with both feet while maintaining a standing posture. This stepping task necessitates whole body actions that impose postural challenges. The foot-stepping task complements the classic SRT task in several ways. The foot-stepping SRT task is a better proxy for the daily activities that require ongoing postural control, and thus may help us better understand sequence learning in real-life situations. In addition, response time serves as an indicator of sequence learning in the classic SRT task, but it is unclear whether response time, reaction time (RT) representing mental process, or movement time (MT) reflecting the movement itself, is a key player in motor sequence learning. The foot-stepping SRT task allows researchers to disentangle response time into RT and MT, which may clarify how motor planning and movement execution are involved in sequence learning. Lastly, postural control and cognition are interactively related, but little is known about how postural control interacts with learning motor sequences. With a motion capture system, the movement of the whole body (e.g., the center of mass (COM)) can be recorded. Such measures allow us to reveal the dynamic processes underlying discrete responses measured by RT and MT, and may aid in elucidating the relationship between postural control and the explicit and implicit processes involved in sequence learning. Details of the experimental set-up, procedure, and data processing are described. The representative data are adopted from one of our previous studies. Results are related to response time, RT, and MT, as well as the relationship between the anticipatory postural response and the explicit processes involved in implicit motor sequence learning.

The &quot;Motor&quot; in Implicit Motor Sequence Learning: A Foot-stepping Serial Reaction Time Task

We introduce the foot-stepping serial reaction time (SRT) task. This modified SRT task, complementing the classic SRT task that involves only finger-pressing movement, better approximates daily sequenced activities and allows researchers to study the dynamic processes underlying discrete response measures and disentangle the explicit process operating in implicit sequence learning.

O "Motor" em Motor implícita sequência de aprendizagem: uma reação Serial depuração pé tempo tarefa

This protocol describes a modified serial reaction time (SRT) task used to study implicit motor sequence learning. Unlike the classic SRT task that ...

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.

Uma romance única Animal motricidade sistema usando simples, prontamente disponível Software de rastreamento

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

Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects

Multisensory integration research investigates how the brain processes simultaneous sensory information. Research on animals (mainly cats and primates) and humans reveal that intact multisensory integration is crucial for functioning in the real world, including both cognitive and physical activities. Much of the research conducted over the past several decades documents multisensory integration effects using diverse psychophysical, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging techniques. While its presence has been reported, the methods used to determine the magnitude of multisensory integration effects varies and typically faces much criticism. In what follows, limitations of previous behavioral studies are outlined and a step-by-step tutorial for calculating the magnitude of multisensory integration effects using robust probability models is provided.

The current study aims to provide a step-by-step tutorial for calculating the magnitude of multisensory integration effects in an effort to facilitate the production of translational research studies across diverse clinical populations.

Usando a desigualdade de modelo de corrida para quantificar efeitos de integração multissensorial comportamental

Multisensory integration research investigates how the brain processes simultaneous sensory information. Research on animals (mainly cats and primates) ...