NIH NS43798 (DMB); NIH F31 NS058138 (MRD); P30-NS045758 (CBSCR); and the Paralyzed Veterans of America #2451 (DMB) and #2707 (MRD).

1. Up/Down Plantar Von Frey Testing
The purpose of the test is to determine tactile sensitivity by measuring how much force is required to elicit paw withdrawal from the stimulus. Commercially available calibrated Von Frey Hair monofilaments between the ranges of 4.56 and 6.10 are used to stimulate the paw. Other sensory input like visualization of the stimulus or proprioception can confound tactile threshold measures so responses based on visual or proprioceptive input are invalid. To prevent v...

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	<li>Cruz-Almeida, Y., Felix, E. R., Martinez-Arizala, A., Widerstrom-Noga, E. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pain+symptom+profiles+in+persons+with+spinal+cord+injury.">Pain symptom profiles in persons with spinal cord injury.</a> Pain Med. 10, 1246-1259 (2009).</li><li>Hulsebosch, C. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=From+discovery+to+clinical+trials:+treatment+strategies+for+central+neuropathic+pain+after+spinal+cord+injury.">From discovery to clinical trials: treatment strategies for central neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.</a> Curr. Pharm. Des. 11, 1411-1420 (2005).</li><li>Kloos, A. D., Fisher, L. C., Detloff, M. R., Hassenzahl, D. L., Basso, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stepwise+motor+and+all-or-none+sensory+recovery+is+associated+with+nonlinear+sparing+after+incremental+spinal+cord+injury+in+rats.">Stepwise motor and all-or-none sensory recovery is associated with nonlinear sparing after incremental spinal cord injury in rats.</a> Exp. Neurol. 191, 251-265 (2005).</li><li>Detloff, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remote+activation+of+microglia+and+pro-inflammatory+cytokines+predict+the+onset+and+severity+of+below-level+neuropathic+pain+after+spinal+cord+injury+in+rats.">Remote activation of microglia and pro-inflammatory cytokines predict the onset and severity of below-level neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury in rats.</a> Exp. Neurol. 212, 337-347 (2008).</li><li>Detloff, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Validity+of+acute+and+chronic+tactile+sensory+testing+after+spinal+cord+injury+in+rats.">Validity of acute and chronic tactile sensory testing after spinal cord injury in rats.</a> Exp. Neurol. 225, 366-376 (2010).</li><li>Hutchinson, K. J., Gomez-Pinilla, F., Crowe, M. J., Ying, Z., Basso, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three+exercise+paradigms+differentially+improve+sensory+recovery+after+spinal+cord+contusion+in+rats.">Three exercise paradigms differentially improve sensory recovery after spinal cord contusion in rats.</a> Brain. 127, 1403-1414 (2004).</li><li>Carlton, 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=Peripheral+and+central+sensitization+in+remote+spinal+cord+regions+contribute+to+central+neuropathic+pain+after+spinal+cord+injury.">Peripheral and central sensitization in remote spinal cord regions contribute to central neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.</a> Pain. 147, 265-276 (2009).</li><li>Lindsey, A. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+analysis+of+changes+in+sensory+thresholds+to+mild+tactile+and+cold+stimuli+after+experimental+spinal+cord+injury+in+the+rat.">An analysis of changes in sensory thresholds to mild tactile and cold stimuli after experimental spinal cord injury in the rat.</a> Neurorehabil. Neural Repair. 14, 287-300 (2000).</li><li>Basso, D. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+testing+after+spinal+cord+injury:+congruities,+complexities,+and+controversies.">Behavioral testing after spinal cord injury: congruities, complexities, and controversies.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 21, 395-404 (2004).</li><li>Langford, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Social+modulation+of+pain+as+evidence+for+empathy+in+mice.">Social modulation of pain as evidence for empathy in mice.</a> Science. 312, 1967-1970 (2006).</li></ol>

The VFH testing methods presented here represent two testing paradigms that are sensitive and valid for use in rat SCI models. Importantly, the dorsal VFH test was created for assessment of the recovery of tactile sensation of the hind paws acutely following mid-thoracic SCI when rats are unable to stand on their hindquarters. This testing paradigm may also be used when rats regain the ability to support their weight and for the hind limbs after cervical SCI. 
The two paradigms demonstrated he...

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 <td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments </td>
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 <td>Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments</td>
 <td>Stoelting Co</td>
 <td>58011</td>
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 <td>Fish Breeder Box</td>
 <td>Aquarium Supply Store</td>
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 <td>Hole drilled in side for cereal delivery</td>
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 <td>Elevated wire mesh (1/4" X 1/4" grid)</td>
 <td>Hardware Store</td>
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 <td>Elastic to hold fish breeder box in place</td>
 <td>Craft Store</td>
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 <td>Sugared Cereal</td>
 <td>Grocery Store</td>
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 <td>Surgical Huck Towel 16"x 23"</td>
 <td>Medical Supply Store</td>
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</table>

acute and chronic tactile sensory testing after spinal cord injury in rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory testing in rat SCI models is needed. However, until recently, no single testing approach had been validated for SCI so that standardized methods have not been implemented across labs. Additionally, available testing methods could not be implemented acutely or when severe motor impairments existed, preventing studies of the development of SCI-induced allodynia3. Here we present two validated sensory testing methods using von Frey Hair (VFH) monofilaments which quantify changes in tactile sensory thresholds after SCI4-5. One test is the well-established Up-Down test which demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity across different SCI severities when tested chronically5. The other test is a newly-developed dorsal VFH test that can be applied acutely after SCI when allodynia develops, prior to motor recovery4-5. Each VFH monofilament applies a calibrated force when touched to the skin of the hind paw until it bends. In the up-down method, alternating VFHs of higher or lower forces are used on the plantar L5 dermatome to delineate flexor withdrawal thresholds. Successively higher forces are applied until withdrawal occurs then lower force VFHs are used until withdrawal ceases. The tactile threshold reflects the force required to elicit withdrawal in 50% of the stimuli. For the new test, each VFH is applied to the dorsal L5 dermatome of the paw while the rat is supported by the examiner. The VFH stimulation occurs in ascending order of force until at least 2 of 3 applications at a given force produces paw withdrawal. Tactile sensory threshold is the lowest force to elicit withdrawal 66% of the time. Acclimation, testing and scoring procedures are described. Aberrant trials that require a retest and typical trials are defined. Animal use was approved by Ohio State University Animal Care and Use Committee.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats at JoVE.com

Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

We describe two tactile sensory testing methods for acute or chronic periods of spinal cord injury in rats. These validated procedures can detect the development and maintenance of allodynia-like sensations.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory ...

acute-chronic-tactile-sensory-testing-after-spinal-cord-injury

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JoVE Journal

Medicine

23.4K Views.  School of Allied Medical Professions, The Ohio State University. We describe two tactile sensory testing methods for acute or chronic periods of spinal cord injury in rats. These validated procedures can detect the development and maintenance of allodynia-like sensations.