Name: The Accelerating Rotating Rod Assay or Rotarod Test: A Method to Test Motor Coordination and Learning in Mice
Uploaded: 2023-04-30T12:50:52
Description: Source: Ferro, A., et al. Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function.&#160;J. Vis. Exp.&#160; ...

eoe sub articles

EoE Sub Articles

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. Accelerating Rotarod
<ol>
	<li>Acclimate subjects to the assay room 10 min prior to the start of the trial. During this acclimation period, prepare the rotarod apparatus, cleaning each lane of the apparatus with 30% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Open the rotarod software and set start settings to 4 rpm, acceleration settings to 5 min, and f...

the accelerating rotating rod assay or rotarod test: a method to test motor coordination and learning in mice

Source: Ferro, A., et al. <a href="https://www.jove.com/video/53758/treating-sca1-mice-with-water-soluble-compounds-to-non-specifically">Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function</a>.&#160;J. Vis. Exp.&#160; (2017).
In this video, we perform the accelerating rotating rod or rotarod test to assess motor coordination and learning in mouse subjects.&#160;&#160;

The Accelerating Rotating Rod Assay or Rotarod Test: A Method to Test Motor Coordination and Learning in Mice

Source: Ferro, A., et al. Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function.&#160;J. Vis. Exp.&#160; ...

The accelerating rotarod device, as the name suggests, consists of a rotating rod whose speed of rotation accelerates at a predetermined rate over a set time period. The rod is placed high enough to discourage subjects from jumping off, while dividers separate it into equally spaced lanes, keeping animals apart.
To perform the test, place the mice on the rotating rod in their respective lanes and then gradually increase the speed. Mice will grip tightly onto the rod to keep their balance and avoid falling off. Record the time until they fall across repeated trials to assess motor coordination and learning.

the-accelerating-rotating-rod-assay-or-rotarod-test-method-to-test

Research

JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments

Biology

Rodent Models

Adult

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Behavioral assays are commonly used for the assessment of sensorimotor impairment in the central nervous system (CNS). The most sophisticated methods for quantifying locomotor deficits in rodents is to measure minute disturbances of unconstrained gait overground (e.g., manual BBB score or automated CatWalk). However, cortical inputs are not required for the generation of basic locomotion produced by the spinal central pattern generator (CPG). Thus, unconstrained walking tasks test locomotor deficits due to motor cortical impairment only indirectly. In this study, we propose a novel, precise foot-placement locomotor task that evaluates cortical inputs to the spinal CPG. An instrumented peg-way was used to impose symmetrical and asymmetrical locomotor tasks mimicking lateralized movement deficits. We demonstrate that shifts from equidistant inter-stride lengths of 20% produce changes in the forelimb stance phase characteristics during locomotion with preferred stride length. Furthermore, we propose that the asymmetric walkway allows for measurements of behavioral outcomes produced by cortical control signals. These measures are relevant for the assessment of impairment after cortical damage.

Here, we present a protocol to quantify precise stepping in rodents. Cortical and the spinal central pattern generator signals are required for precise foot-placement during obstructed locomotion. We report here the novel constrained walking task that directly examines precise stepping behavior.

Behavioral assays are commonly used for the assessment of sensorimotor impairment in the central nervous system (CNS). The most sophisticated methods for ...

JoVE Journal

Behavior

Battery of Behavioral Tests Assessing General Locomotion, Muscular Strength, and Coordination in Mice

Behavioral testing is used in pre-clinical trials to assess the phenotypic effects and outcomes that a particular disease or treatment has on the animal&#39;s wellbeing and health. There are numerous behavioral tests that may be applied. We selected a test for general locomotion, the open field test (OFT); a test for muscular strength, the mesh test (MT); and a test for coordination, the rotarod test (RR). Testing can be accomplished on a weekly or monthly basis. As a test for general locomotion, the OFT works by objectively monitoring movement parameters while the mouse is in an open field apparatus. The field is generally a 2&#39; x 2&#39; box, and the movements are recorded through laser sensing or through video capture. The mouse is placed in the center of the open field and allowed to move freely for the test. The MT uses the latency for a mouse to fall off an inverted screen as a measure of muscular strength. A mouse is placed on a screen, which is inverted over a clear box, and is timed for their latency to fall. Three trials are performed, with the best of the three trials scored for that day. A score of 60 s is the maximum time a mouse is left inverted. Mice are given a 5-min rest period between mesh test trials. Lastly, an accelerated protocol on the RR assesses motor coordination and endurance. During a trial, a mouse walks on a rotating rod as it increases in speed from 4 rpm to 40 rpm over 5 min. The trial ends when the mouse touches the magnetized pressure sensor upon falling. Each mouse undergoes three trials, and the best trial is scored for that day. This combined behavioral data allows for the global assessment of mobility, coordination, strength, and movement of the test animals. At least two out of the three behavioral testing measures must show improvement for an animal to qualify as having overall improved motor function.

Behavioral testing is used in pre-clinical trials to assess the phenotypic effects of a disease or treatment on an animal's wellbeing. In order to globally assess motor functioning, we selected tests for general locomotion, muscular strength, and coordination: the open field test, the mesh test, and the rotarod test, respectively.

Behavioral testing is used in pre-clinical trials to assess the phenotypic effects and outcomes that a particular disease or treatment has on the ...

A Behavioral Test Battery for the Repeated Assessment of Motor Skills, Mood, and Cognition in Mice

Pharmacological and toxicological studies in neurodegeneration require comprehensive behavioral analysis in mice because motor dysfunctions and dysfunctions in mood and cognition are common and often shared symptoms in neurodegenerative diseases. Shown here is a behavioral test battery for motor, mood, and cognition, which can be repeatedly tested in a longitudinal study. This battery assesses the overall behavioral phenotype in mice by examining each domain of behavior with at least two independent well-accepted tests (i.e., open-field test and rotarod test for motor function, social interaction test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swim test for emotional function, and Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test for cognitive function). Therefore, this sensitive and comprehensive test battery is a powerful tool for the study of behavioral alternation in neurodegeneration.

A comprehensive behavioral test battery of motor skills, mood&#8212;including social interaction, depression, and anxiety&#8212;and cognition is designed for the repeated assessment of neurodegeneration-related behavioral changes in mice.

The Accelerating Rotating Rod Assay or Rotarod Test: A Method to Test Motor Coordination and Learning in Mice

Transcript