Name: the ladder rung walking task: a scoring system and its practical application.
Uploaded: 2009-06-12T00:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Ladder Rung Walking Task: A Scoring System and its Practical Application. at JoVE.com

This research was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Stroke Network. GAM was also supported by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

Ladder rung walking test apparatus
The horizontal ladder rung walking test apparatus consisted of side walls made of clear Plexiglas and metal rungs (3 mm diameter), which could be inserted to create a floor with a minimum distance of 1 cm between rungs (see Fig. 1; Metz and Whishaw, 2003). The side walls were 1 m long and 19 cm high measured from the height of the rungs. The ladder was elevated 30 cm above the ground with a neutral start cage and a refuge (home cage) at the end. Because animal...

<ol>
	<li>Chu, C. J., 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=Experience-dependent+structural+plasticity+in+cortex+heterotopic+to+focal+sensorimotor+cortical+damage.">Experience-dependent structural plasticity in cortex heterotopic to focal sensorimotor cortical damage.</a> Exp Neurol. 166, 403-414 (2000).</li><li>Emerick, A. J., Kartje, G. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+recovery+and+anatomical+plasticity+in+adult+rats+after+cortical+lesion+and+treatment+with+monoclonal+antibody+IN-1.">Behavioral recovery and anatomical plasticity in adult rats after cortical lesion and treatment with monoclonal antibody IN-1.</a> Behav Brain Res. 152, 315-325 (2004).</li><li>Faraji, J., Metz, G. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sequential+bilateral+striatal+lesions+have+additive+effects+on+single+skilled+limb+use+in+rats.">Sequential bilateral striatal lesions have additive effects on single skilled limb use in rats.</a> Behav Brain Res. 177, 195-204 (2007).</li><li>Farr, T. D., Liu, L., Colwell, K. L., Whishaw, I. Q., Metz, G. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bilateral+alteration+in+stepping+pattern+after+unilateral+motor+cortex+injury:+a+new+test+strategy+for+analysis+of+skilled+limb+movements+in+neurological+mouse+models.">Bilateral alteration in stepping pattern after unilateral motor cortex injury: a new test strategy for analysis of skilled limb movements in neurological mouse models.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 153, 104-113 (2006).</li><li>Kleim, J. A., Barbay, S., Nudo, 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=Functional+reorganization+of+the+rat+motor+cortex+following+motor+skill+learning.">Functional reorganization of the rat motor cortex following motor skill learning.</a> J Neurophysiol. 80, 3321-3325 (1998).</li><li>Merkler, D., Metz, G. A., Raineteau, O., Dietz, V., Schwab, M. E., 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=Locomotor+recovery+in+spinal+cord-injured+rats+treated+with+an+antibody+neutralizing+the+myelin-associated+neurite+growth+inhibitor+Nogo-A.">Locomotor recovery in spinal cord-injured rats treated with an antibody neutralizing the myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitor Nogo-A.</a> J Neurosci. 21, 3665-3673 (2001).</li><li>McVea, D. A., Pearson, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stepping+of+the+forelegs+over+obstacles+establishes+long-lasting+memories+in+cats.">Stepping of the forelegs over obstacles establishes long-lasting memories in cats.</a> Curr Biol. 17, R621-R623 (2007).</li><li>Metz, G. A. S., Dietz, V., Schwab, M. E., Meent, H. v. a. n. d. e. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+unilateral+pyramidal+tract+section+on+hindlimb+motor+performance+in+the+rat.">The effects of unilateral pyramidal tract section on hindlimb motor performance in the rat.</a> Behav Brain Res. 95, 37-46 (1998).</li><li>Metz, G. A. S., Dietz, V., Schwab, M. E., 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=Efficient+testing+of+motor+function+in+spinal+cord+injured+rats.">Efficient testing of motor function in spinal cord injured rats.</a> Brain Res. 883, 165-177 (2000).</li><li>Metz, G. A., 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=Drug-induced+rotation+intensity+in+unilateral+dopamine-depleted+rats+is+not+correlated+with+end+point+or+qualitative+measures+of+forelimb+or+hindlimb+motor+performance.">Drug-induced rotation intensity in unilateral dopamine-depleted rats is not correlated with end point or qualitative measures of forelimb or hindlimb motor performance.</a> Neuroscience. 111, 325-336 (2002).</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>Muir, G. D., Whishaw, I. Q., Kolb, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Locomotion in The Behavior of the laboratory rat. , 150-161 (2005).</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+hemi-parkinsonian+rats:+a+definitive+test+for+impairments+and+compensations.">Ground reaction forces in locomoting hemi-parkinsonian rats: a definitive test for impairments and compensations.</a> Exp Brain Res. 126, 307-314 (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=Red+nucleus+lesions+impair+overground+locomotion+in+rats:+a+kinetic+analysis.">Red nucleus lesions impair overground locomotion in rats: a kinetic analysis.</a> Eur J Neurosci. 12, 1113-1122 (2000).</li><li>Riek-Burchardt, M., Henrich-Noack, P., Metz, G. A., Reymann, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+chronic+sensorimotor+impairments+in+the+ladder+rung+walking+task+in+rats+with+endothelin-1-induced+mild+focal+ischemia.">Detection of chronic sensorimotor impairments in the ladder rung walking task in rats with endothelin-1-induced mild focal ischemia.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 137, 227-233 (2004).</li><li>Ploughman, M., Attwood, Z., White, N., Dor&#233;, J. J., Corbett, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endurance+exercise+facilitates+relearning+of+forelimb+motor+skill+after+focal+ischemia.">Endurance exercise facilitates relearning of forelimb motor skill after focal ischemia.</a> Eur J Neurosci. 25, 3453-3460 (2007).</li><li>Thallmair, M., Metz, G. A. S., Z'Graggen, W. J., Kartje, G. L., Schwab, 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=Functional+recovery+parallels+enhanced+plasticity+of+the+lesioned+adult+CNS+by+antibodies+to+neurite+growth+inhibitors.">Functional recovery parallels enhanced plasticity of the lesioned adult CNS by antibodies to neurite growth inhibitors.</a> Nature Neurosci. 1, 124-131 (1998).</li><li>Meyenburg, J. v. o. n., Brosamle, C., Metz, G. A., Schwab, 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=Regeneration+and+sprouting+of+chronically+injured+corticospinal+tract+fibers+in+adult+rats+promoted+by+NT-3+and+the+mAb+IN-1,+which+neutralizes+myelin-associated+neurite+growth+inhibitors.">Regeneration and sprouting of chronically injured corticospinal tract fibers in adult rats promoted by NT-3 and the mAb IN-1, which neutralizes myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitors.</a> Exp Neurol. 154, 583-594 (1998).</li><li>Whishaw, I. Q., Coles, B. L., Pellis, S. M., Miklyaeva, E. I. <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+compensation+in+mouth+and+limb+use+in+free+feeding+after+unilateral+dopamine+depletions+in+a+rat+analog+of+human+Parkinson's+disease.">Impairments and compensation in mouth and limb use in free feeding after unilateral dopamine depletions in a rat analog of human Parkinson's disease.</a> Behav Brain Res. 84, 167-177 (1997a).</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 (1997b).</li><li>Whishaw, I. Q., Gorny, B., Sarna, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Paw+and+limb+use+in+skilled+and+spontaneous+reaching+after+pyramidal+tract,+red+nucleus+and+combined+lesions+in+the+rat:+behavioral+and+anatomical+dissociations.">Paw and limb use in skilled and spontaneous reaching after pyramidal tract, red nucleus and combined lesions in the rat: behavioral and anatomical dissociations.</a> Behav Brain Res. 93, 167-183 (1998).</li><li>Z'Graggen, W. J., Metz, G. A. S., Kartje, G. L., Schwab, 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=Functional+recovery+and+enhanced+ccrtico-fugal+plasticity+in+the+adult+rat+after+unilateral+pyramidal+tract+section+and+blockade+of+myelin-associated+neurite+growth+inhibitors.">Functional recovery and enhanced ccrtico-fugal plasticity in the adult rat after unilateral pyramidal tract section and blockade of myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitors.</a> J Neurosci. 18, 4744-4757 (1998).</li></ol>

The present study introduces the ladder rung walking task as a new test to assess skilled walking, limb placement and limb co-ordination. The ladder rung walking task allows discrimination between subtle disturbances of motor function by combining qualitative and quantitative analysis of skilled walking. The video analysis procedure can be used for a more descriptive account of impairments, and the simple rating scale described in this paper reveals any errors in limb placement and digit flexion when grasping a rung. Qua...

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 elaborate distinct aspects of motor function and to determine even subtle loss of movement capacity. To enhance efficacy and resolution of testing, tests should permit qualitative and quantitative measures of motor function and be sensitive to changes in performance during recovery periods. The present study describes a new task to assess skilled walking in the rat to measure both forelimb and hindlimb function at the same time. Animals are required to walk along a horizontal ladder on which the spacing of the rungs is variable and is periodically changed. Changes in rung spacing prevent animals from learning the absolute and relative location of the rungs and so minimize the ability of the animals to compensate for impairments through learning. In addition, changing the spacing between the rungs allows the test to be used repeatedly in long-term studies. Methods are described for both quantitative and qualitative description of both fore- and hindlimb performance, including limb placing, stepping, co-ordination. Furthermore, use of compensatory strategies is indicated by missteps or compensatory steps in response to another limb&#x2019;s misplacement. 

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The Ladder Rung Walking Task: A Scoring System and its Practical Application. at JoVE.com

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

The ladder rung walking task is a new test to assess skilled walking and measure both forelimb and hindlimb placing, stepping, and inter-limb co-ordination.

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

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that commonly affects young adults. It is characterized by ...

Application of a C. elegans Dopamine Neuron Degeneration Assay for the Validation of Potential Parkinson's Disease Genes

Improvements to the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) are dependent upon knowledge about susceptibility factors that render populations ...

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 ...

Lens Transplantation in Zebrafish and its Application in the Analysis of Eye Mutants

The lens plays an important role in the development of the optic cup[1,2]. Using the zebrafish as a model organism, questions regarding lens development ...

Tomato Analyzer: A Useful Software Application to Collect Accurate and Detailed Morphological and Colorimetric Data from Two-dimensional Objects

Measuring fruit morphology and color traits of vegetable and fruit crops in an objective and reproducible way is important for detailed phenotypic ...

Visualization of Caenorhabditis elegans Cuticular Structures Using the Lipophilic Vital Dye DiI

Visualization of Caenorhabditis elegans Cuticular Structures Using the Lipophilic Vital Dye DiI

Visualisering af Caenorhabditis elegans Cuticle strukturer ved hjælp af de lipofile Vital Dye, DII

The cuticle of C. elegans is a highly resistant structure that surrounds the exterior of the animal1-4. The cuticle not only protects the animal from the ...

A Fluorescence-based Exonuclease Assay to Characterize DmWRNexo, Orthologue of Human Progeroid WRN Exonuclease, and Its Application to Other Nucleases

WRN exonuclease is involved in resolving DNA damage that occurs either during DNA replication or following exposure to endogenous or exogenous genotoxins. ...

A Practical Guide to Phylogenetics for Nonexperts

En praktisk vejledning til fylogeni for Nonexperts

Many researchers, across incredibly diverse foci, are applying phylogenetics to their research question(s). However, many researchers are new to this ...

Design and Analysis of Temperature Preference Behavior and its Circadian Rhythm in Drosophila

Design and Analysis of Temperature Preference Behavior and its Circadian Rhythm in Drosophila

Design og analyse af temperaturpræferenceadfærd og dens døgnrytme i Drosophila

The circadian clock regulates many aspects of life, including sleep, locomotor activity, and body temperature (BTR) rhythms1,2. We recently identified a ...

Reconstruction of 3-Dimensional Histology Volume and its Application to Study Mouse Mammary Glands

Genopbygning af 3-dimensionel Histologi Volumen og dens anvendelse til at studere mus mælkekirtler

Histology volume reconstruction facilitates the study of 3D shape and volume change of an organ at the level of macrostructures made up of cells. It can ...