Name: paw-dragging: a novel, sensitive analysis of the mouse cylinder test
Uploaded: 2015-04-29T16:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paw-Dragging: a Novel, Sensitive Analysis of the Mouse Cylinder Test at JoVE.com

We danken de heer John Crowell en de heer Terry Upshall om hun technische expertise en ondersteuning bij de fotografie en videografie. Dit werk werd ondersteund door exploitatiesubsidies voor JLV van de Canadese Institutes of Health Research en de Research en Development Corporation van Newfoundland en een Hart &amp; Stroke Foundation van Canada Canadese Partnership for Stroke Recovery Catalyst subsidie. RBR was een ontvanger van een Keith Griffiths Memorial Heart &amp; Stroke Foundation Graduate Scholarship.

Ethics statement: Alle experimenten werden goedgekeurd door Memorial Universiteit van Animal Care Ethische Commissie van Newfoundland&#39;s volgens de richtlijnen van de Canadese Raad van Animal Care. 1. Muizen <ol><li> Gebruik volwassen muizen. In deze studie werden volwassen mannelijke FVBN muizen (n = 10) tussen 2-4 maanden gebruikt. Huis muizen op een 12:12 hr omgekeerde licht-donker cyclus en bieden standaard knaagdieren chow en water ad libitum. </li></ol> 2. Materialen Ver...

<ol>
	<li>Schallert, T., Fleming, S. M., Leasure, J. L., Tillerson, J. L., Bland, S. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CNS+plasticity+and+assessment+of+forelimb+sensorimotor+outcome+in+unilateral+rat+models+of+stroke,+cortical+ablation,+parkinsonism+and+spinal+cord+injury.">CNS plasticity and assessment of forelimb sensorimotor outcome in unilateral rat models of stroke, cortical ablation, parkinsonism and spinal cord injury.</a> Neuropharmacology. 39, 777-787 (2000).</li><li>Kolb, B., 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=Growth+factor-stimulated+generation+of+new+cortical+tissue+and+functional+recovery+after+stroke+damage+to+the+motor+cortex+of+rats.">Growth factor-stimulated generation of new cortical tissue and functional recovery after stroke damage to the motor cortex of rats.</a> J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 27 (5), 983-997 (2007).</li><li>Windle, V., 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=An+analysis+of+four+different+methods+of+producing+focal+cerebral+ischemia+with+endothelin-1+in+the+rat.">An analysis of four different methods of producing focal cerebral ischemia with endothelin-1 in the rat.</a> Exp Neurol. 201 (2), 324-334 (2006).</li><li>Roome, R. B., 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=A+reproducible+Endothelin-1+model+of+forelimb+motor+cortex+stroke+in+the+mouse.">A reproducible Endothelin-1 model of forelimb motor cortex stroke in the mouse.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 233, 34-44 (2014).</li><li>Tennant, K. A., 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=Sensorimotor+behavioral+effects+of+endothelin-1+induced+small+cortical+infarcts+in+C57BL/6+mice.">Sensorimotor behavioral effects of endothelin-1 induced small cortical infarcts in C57BL/6 mice.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 181 (1), 18-26 (2009).</li><li>Wang, Y., Jin, K., Greenberg, 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=Neurogenesis+associated+with+endothelin-induced+cortical+infarction+in+the+mouse.">Neurogenesis associated with endothelin-induced cortical infarction in the mouse.</a> Brain Res. 1167, 118-122 (2007).</li><li>Baskin, Y. K., Dietrich, W. D., Green, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+effective+behavioral+tasks+for+evaluating+sensorimotor+dysfunction+following+traumatic+brain+injury+in+mice.">Two effective behavioral tasks for evaluating sensorimotor dysfunction following traumatic brain injury in mice.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 129 (1), 87-93 (2003).</li><li>Li, X., 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=Chronic+behavioral+testing+after+focal+ischemia+in+the+mouse:+functional+recovery+and+the+effects+of+gender.">Chronic behavioral testing after focal ischemia in the mouse: functional recovery and the effects of gender.</a> Exp Neurol. 187 (1), 94-104 (2004).</li><li>Clarke, J., Ploughman, M., 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=A+qualitative+and+quantitative+analysis+of+skilled+forelimb+reaching+impairment+following+intracerebral+hemorrhage+in+rats.">A qualitative and quantitative analysis of skilled forelimb reaching impairment following intracerebral hemorrhage in rats.</a> Brain Res. , 204-212 (2007).</li><li>Montoya, C. P., Campbell-Hope, L. J., Pemberton, K. D., Dunnett, S. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+'staircase+test':+a+measure+of+independent+forelimb+reaching+and+grasping+abilities+in+rats.">The 'staircase test': a measure of independent forelimb reaching and grasping abilities in rats.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 36 (2-3), 219-228 (1991).</li><li>Farr, T. 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=Quantitative+and+qualitative+impairments+in+skilled+reaching+in+the+mouse+(Mus+musculus)+after+a+focal+motor+cortex+stroke.">Quantitative and qualitative impairments in skilled reaching in the mouse (Mus musculus) after a focal motor cortex stroke.</a> Stroke. 33 (7), 1869-1875 (2002).</li><li>Tennant, K. A., 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=The+vermicelli+and+capellini+handling+tests:+simple+quantitative+measures+of+dexterous+forepaw+function+in+rats+and+mice.">The vermicelli and capellini handling tests: simple quantitative measures of dexterous forepaw function in rats and mice.</a> J Vis Exp. (41), (2010).</li><li>Clarkson, A. N., 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=AMPA+receptor-induced+local+brain-derived+neurotrophic+factor+signaling+mediates+motor+recovery+after+stroke.">AMPA receptor-induced local brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling mediates motor recovery after stroke.</a> J Neurosci. 31 (10), 3766-3775 (2011).</li><li>Clarkson, A. N., Huang, B. S., Macisaac, S. E., Mody, I., Carmichael, S. 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De belangrijkste punten om vast te stellen wanneer het kwantificeren-poot te slepen gedrag in de cilinder-test zijn de volgende: i) het kwantificeren van het aantal poot-sleept versus totale poot accenten voor elke poot vóór hersenletsel naar een basislijn vast te stellen; ii) kwantificeren van het aantal poot-sleept versus totale poot accenten voor elke poot na de ischemische verwonding; en iii) onderscheid te maken tussen een poot-slepen en de zijwaartse beweging van de poot langs de cilinderwand tijdens laterale ro...

Het doel van de neurale regeneratie strategieën is om zowel weefselherstel en functioneel herstel te tonen. Functioneel herstel wordt gewoonlijk geëvalueerd gedragstesten die functionele gebreken gemeten, in dit geval met motorische vaardigheden die op schade aan de specifieke hersengebieden. Traumatisch hersenletsel of ischemische schade aan de sensorimotorische voorpoot gebied van de cortex kan worden aangetoond door een aantal gedragstesten. Een dergelijke test wordt de cilinderproef veelvuldig gebruikt in ratten functionele gebreken beoordelen voorpoot activiteit 1. De test heeft een lage set-up kosten waarvoor slechts een cilinder, camera en een tafel met een transparante top. Het is gemakkelijk om te dienen als het is gebaseerd op de natuurlijke verkennende gedrag van knaagdieren, dus pre-training en voeding ontbering of beloningen zijn niet nodig. Ondanks deze vele voordelen, wordt de cilinder-test onderbenut te voorpoot tekorten beoordelen in muizen na focale verwondingen aan de voorpoot sensorimotor cortex, die wij toeschrijven aan de analyse van muis volledig in de cilinder proef. Voorpoot asymmetrie is de klassieke maatstaf voor de analyse van de cilinder-test. Wanneer geplaatst in de cilinder, knaagdieren natuurlijk de muren van de cilinder te verkennen met het grootbrengen op hun achterpoten en het aanraken van de cilinderwanden met hun voorpoot poten voor posturale balans. Het aantal poot raakt de wand bij elke voorpoot gemakkelijk gekwantificeerd door filmen knaagdieren tijdens deze verkenning van de cilinder. Forelimb asymmetrie ontstaat wanneer de aangetaste poot voorpoot maakt minder raakt met de wand dan de gezonde voorpoot poot en illustreert schade aan de contralaterale sensorimotorische cortex. Bij ratten intra-corticale injecties van de vasoconstrictieve agens, Endotheline (ET-1), in de voorpoot sensorimotorische cortex veroorzaakt een focale ischemische laesie waardoor gedragsgebreken in de contralaterale voorpoot. Tekorten in contralaterale voorpoot gebruik gemakkelijk worden gedetecteerd als veranderingen in de forelimb asymmetrie in de cilinder-test bij ratten 1-3. In tegenstelling tot ratten Veranderingen in voorpoot asymmetrie zijn variabel en minder consistent bij muizen na vergelijkbare ET-1 injecties 4-6. Hier laten we zien een nieuwe analyse van de voorpoot gedrag in de cilinder-test - analyse van de poot te slepen gedrag. We hebben eerder aangetoond dat paw slepen analyse is een gevoeligere maat voor beschadiging van de voorpoot sensorimotorische cortex in muizen dan de klassieke voorpoot asymmetrie analyse en derhalve is toepasbaar op verschillende focale corticale letsel modellen. Onderzoek van hoe de voorpoot contact met de cilinder wand volgende ischemische schade aan de voorpoot sensomotorische cortex bleek een roman gedrag in muizen - poot-slepen 4. Een poot-drag optreedt wanneer een muis staat op zijn achterste benen om de cilinderwand verkennen vervolgens sleept zijn getroffen (contra-letsels) poot langs de cilinderwand naar zijn middellijn of de muur, terwijlhaar onaangetast forepaw biedt posturale steun tegen de muur. Paw-sleept zelden in uninjured muizen dan ook het uiterlijk van een poot-drag is een positieve indicator van de schade aan de voorpoot sensomotorische cortex 4. We hebben eerder gekwantificeerd-paw slepen gedrag bij muizen na ET-1 ischemische schade aan de voorpoot sensorimotorische cortex en hebben aangetoond langdurige paw slepen gedrag in muizen tot twee weken na een beroerte 4. Hier laten we zien dat-poot te slepen gedrag wordt volgehouden tot vier weken na een beroerte. Analyse van-poot te slepen gedrag biedt een nieuwe en gevoelig instrument voor de beoordeling focale ischemische schade aan de voorpoot sensomotorische cortex bij muizen. Zijn goedkope set-up, gemak van toediening en scoren maken dit een eenvoudige, maar toch nuttig instrument om voorpoot behavioral tekorten snel evalueren in muizen.

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			<td>video camera</td>
			<td>Sony</td>
			<td>DCR-SR42</td>
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			<td>computer</td>
			<td>Dell</td>
			<td>Optiplex 760</td>
			<td>Processor: Intel, 3.0 GHz, Memory 4.00GB (RAM)&#160;</td>
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			<td>computer monitor</td>
			<td>Samsung</td>
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			<td>WDBAAU0020HBK-01</td>
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paw-dragging: a novel, sensitive analysis of the mouse cylinder test

De cilinder test wordt routinematig gebruikt om focale ischemische schade aan de voorpoot motorische cortex bij knaagdieren voorspellen. Wanneer geplaatst in de cilinder, knaagdieren onderzoeken door het fokken en het aanraken van de muren van de cilinder met hun voorpoot poten voor posturale steun. Naar aanleiding van ischemische schade aan de voorpoot sensomotorische cortex, ratten rekenen zwaarder op hun onaangetast voorpoot poot voor posturale steun resulteert in minder aanrakingen met hun aangedane poot die wordt genoemd voorpoot asymmetrie. In tegenstelling, focale ischemische schade in de hersenen van muizen niet te resulteren in vergelijkbare consistente tekorten in voorpoot asymmetrie. Terwijl voorpoot asymmetrie tekorten zelden worden waargenomen, doen muizen een roman gedrag na een beroerte genoemd &quot;poot-slepen&quot; te tonen. Paw-slepen is de neiging om een ​​muis te slepen haar aangedane poot langs de cilinderwand in plaats van direct te duwen off van de muur bij het demonteren van een achterste naar een vier-legged houding. We hebben eerder aangetoond datpoot-slepen gedrag is zeer gevoelig voor kleine corticale ischemische verwondingen aan de voorpoot motorische cortex. Hier bieden we een gedetailleerd protocol voor-poot slepen analyse. We definiëren wat een poot-drag is en demonstreren hoe-poot te slepen gedrag te kwantificeren. De cilinder test is een eenvoudige en goedkope test te beheren en vereist geen pre-training of voedsel ontbering strategieën. Bij het gebruik van-poot te slepen analyse met de cilinder test, het vult een niche voor het voorspellen van corticale ischemische verwondingen zoals photothrombosis en endotheline-1 (ET-1) geïnduceerde ischemie - twee modellen die worden steeds populairder en produceren van kleinere focale blessures dan midden cerebrale slagader occlusie. Tenslotte meet-poot te slepen gedrag in de cilinder test zal studies van functioneel herstel na corticale letsel met behulp van een grote cohort van transgene muizenstammen, waar vorige voorpoot asymmetrie analyse heeft nagelaten om consistente tekorten op te sporen mogelijk te maken.

We hebben eerder aangetoond dat-poot te slepen gedrag verschijnt na een focale ischemische schade aan de voorpoot sensomotorische cortex en is een positieve indicator van schade 4. Intra-corticale injecties van ET-1 in de voorpoot sensorimotorische cortex werden gebruikt om een ischemisch letsel (figuur 8A, B) induceren. Deze studie onderzocht of-poot te slepen gedrag verlengd voor langer dan 14 dagen na het letsel voor zijn potentieel gebruik om functioneel herstel te evalueren. Muizen werde...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paw-Dragging: a Novel, Sensitive Analysis of the Mouse Cylinder Test at JoVE.com

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

Klassieke voorpoot asymmetrie analyse van de cilinder test wordt routinematig gebruikt om behavioral tekorten in ratten na hersenletsel of een beroerte te beoordelen; echter niet consistent tekorten sporen bij muizen. Deze studie toont aan dat het kwantificeren van poot-slepen gedrag is een meer gevoelige analyse van hersenletsel bij muizen.

Paw-slepen: a Novel, Gevoelig Analyse van de Muis Cilinder 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 ...

paw-dragging-a-novel-sensitive-analysis-of-the-mouse-cylinder-test

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

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

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by decreased reciprocal social interaction, abnormal communication, and repetitive behaviors with restricted interest. As diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, any potentially relevant rodent models of this heterogeneous disorder should ideally recapitulate these diverse behavioral traits. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse is an established animal model of ASD, displaying repetitive behaviors such as increased grooming, as well as cognitive inflexibility. With respect to social interaction and interest, the juvenile play test has been employed in multiple rodent models of ASD. Here, we show that when BTBR mice are tested in a juvenile social interaction enclosure containing sawdust bedding, they display a repetitive synchronous digging motion. This repetitive motor behavior, referred to as &#34;inchworming,&#34; was named because of the stereotypic nature of the movements exhibited by the mice while moving horizontally across the floor. Inchworming mice must use their fore- and hind-limbs in synchrony to displace the bedding, performing a minimum of one inward and one outward motion. Although both BTBR and C56BL/6J (B6) mice exhibit this behavior, BTBR mice demonstrate a significantly higher duration and frequency of inchworming and a decreased latency to initiate inchworming when placed in a bedded enclosure. We conclude that this newly described behavior provides a measure of a repetitive motor stereotypy that can be easily measured in animal models of ASD.

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

Inchworming is a highly repetitive synchronous digging motion displayed by BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice when placed in a testing cage with sufficient sawdust bedding. The procedure is a modification of the juvenile social interaction protocol and is used here to assess repetitive motor stereotypies relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in de BTBR<em&gt; T<sup&gt; +</sup&gt; Itpr3<sup&gt; Tf</sup</em&gt; / J Mouse Model van autisme

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

Contextual and Cued Fear Conditioning Test Using a Video Analyzing System in Mice

The contextual and cued fear conditioning test is one of the behavioral tests that assesses the ability of mice to learn and remember an association between environmental cues and aversive experiences. In this test, mice are placed into a conditioning chamber and are given parings of a conditioned stimulus (an auditory cue) and an aversive unconditioned stimulus (an electric footshock). After a delay time, the mice are exposed to the same conditioning chamber and a differently shaped chamber with presentation of the auditory cue. Freezing behavior during the test is measured as an index of fear memory. To analyze the behavior automatically, we have developed a video analyzing system using the ImageFZ application software program, which is available as a free download at http://www.mouse-phenotype.org/. Here, to show the details of our protocol, we demonstrate our procedure for the contextual and cued fear conditioning test in C57BL/6J mice using the ImageFZ system. In addition, we validated our protocol and the video analyzing system performance by comparing freezing time measured by the ImageFZ system or a photobeam-based computer measurement system with that scored by a human observer. As shown in our representative results, the data obtained by ImageFZ were similar to those analyzed by a human observer, indicating that the behavioral analysis using the ImageFZ system is highly reliable. The present movie article provides detailed information regarding the test procedures and will promote understanding of the experimental situation.

This article presents a protocol for a contextual and cued fear conditioning test using a video analyzing system to assess fear learning and memory in mice.

Contextuele en cued Fear Conditioning Test Met behulp van een video analysesysteem in Muizen

The contextual and cued fear conditioning test is one of the behavioral tests that assesses the ability of mice to learn and remember an association ...

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The goal of the present protocol is to describe the forced swim test (FST), which is one of the most commonly used assays for the study of depressive-like behavior in rodents. The FST is based on the assumption that when placing an animal in a container filled with water, it will first make efforts to escape but eventually will exhibit immobility that may be considered to reflect a measure of behavioral despair. This test has been extensively used because it involves the exposure of the animals to stress, which was shown to have a role in the tendency for major depression. Additionally, the FST has been shown to share some of the factors that are influenced or altered by depression in humans, including changes in food consumption, sleep abnormalities and drug-withdrawal-induced anhedonia. The main advantages of this procedure are that it is relatively easy to perform and that its results are easily and quickly analyzed. Moreover, its sensitivity to a broad range of antidepressant drugs that makes it a suitable screening test is one of the most important features leading to its high predictive validity. Despite its appeal, this model has a number of disadvantages. First, the issue of chronic augmentation is problematic in this test because in real life patients need to be treated for at least several weeks before they experience any relief from their symptoms. Last, due to the aversiveness of the FST, it is important to take into account possible influences it might have on brain structure/function if brain analyses are to be carried out following this procedure.

This protocol describes the forced swim test, which is used for the study of depressive-like behavior in rodents. This procedure involves placing an animal in a container filled with water that eventually will lead to the exhibition of immobility behavior, which is considered to reflect behavioral despair.

De Gedwongen Swim Test als een model van Depressieve-achtig gedrag

The goal of the present protocol is to describe the forced swim test (FST), which is one of the most commonly used assays for the study of depressive-like ...

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.

Morris Water Maze Test: Optimalisatie voor Mouse Strain en testomgeving

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

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.

Trap en Cilinder Test: een nieuwe benadering voor Motor Resultaat van Deep Brain Stimulation Effecten op het Hemiparkinsonian Rat Assess

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 ...

The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse

Fatigue is a prominent symptom in many diseases and disorders and reduces quality of life for many people. The lack of clear pathogenesis and failure of current interventions to adequately treat fatigue in all patients leaves a need for new treatment options. Despite the therapeutic need and importance of preclinical research in helping identify promising novel treatments, few preclinical assays of fatigue are available. Moreover, the most common preclinical assay used to assess fatigue-like behavior, voluntary wheel running, is not suitable for use with some strains of mice, may not be sensitive to drugs that reduce fatigue, and has relatively low throughput. The current protocol describes a novel, non-voluntary preclinical assay of fatigue-like behavior, the treadmill fatigue test, and provides evidence of its efficacy in detecting fatigue-like behavior in mice treated with a chemotherapy drug known to cause fatigue in humans and fatigue-like behavior in animals. This assay may be a beneficial alternative to wheel running, as fatigue-like behavior and potential interventions can be assessed in a greater number of mice over a shorter time frame, thus permitting faster discovery of new therapeutic options.

Fatigue is a common, undertreated and frequently poorly-understood symptom in many diseases and disorders. New preclinical assays of fatigue may help to improve current understanding and future treatment of fatigue. To that end, the current protocol provides a novel means of measuring fatigue-like behavior in the mouse.

De loopband Vermoeidheid Test: Een eenvoudige, High-throughput assay van vermoeidheid-achtig gedrag van de muis

Fatigue is a prominent symptom in many diseases and disorders and reduces quality of life for many people. The lack of clear pathogenesis and failure of ...

The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease

This protocol describes the administration of the 4 Mountains Test (4MT), a short test of spatial memory, in which memory for the topographical layout of four mountains within a computer-generated landscape is tested using a delayed match-to-sample paradigm. Allocentric spatial memory is assessed by altering the viewpoint, colors and textures between the initially presented and target images.
Allocentric spatial memory is a key function of the hippocampus, one of the earliest brain regions to be affected in Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD) and impairment of hippocampal function predates the onset of dementia. It was hypothesized that performance on the 4MT would aid the diagnosis of predementia AD, which manifests clinically as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
The 4MT was applied to patients with MCI, stratified further based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarker status (10 MCI biomarker positive, 9 MCI biomarker negative), and with mild AD dementia, as well as healthy controls. Comparator tests included tests of episodic memory and attention widely accepted as sensitive measures of early AD. Behavioral data were correlated with quantitative MRI measures of the hippocampus, precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus.
4MT scores were significantly different between the two MCI groups (p = 0.001), with a test score of &#8804;8/15 associated with 100% sensitivity and 78% specificity for the classification of MCI with positive AD biomarkers, i.e., predementia AD. 4MT test scores correlated with hippocampal volume (r = 0.42) and cortical thickness of the precuneus (r = 0.55).
In conclusion, the 4MT is effective in identifying the early stages of AD. The short duration, easy application and scoring, and favorable psychometric properties of the 4MT fulfil the need for a simple but accurate diagnostic test for predementia AD.

The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer&#039;s Disease

This article describes the 4 Mountains Test (4MT), a hippocampus-dependent test of working allocentric spatial memory. The hippocampus is affected early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and this article outlines the 4MT methodology and results of patient testing, which demonstrates the value of the 4MT in the diagnosis of pre-dementia AD.

De 4 Bergen Test: een korte test van het ruimtelijk geheugen met hoge gevoeligheid voor de diagnose van pre-dementie de ziekte van Alzheimer

This protocol describes the administration of the 4 Mountains Test (4MT), a short test of spatial memory, in which memory for the topographical layout of ...

A Method to Test the Effect of Environmental Cues on Mating Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

An individual's sexual drive is influenced by genotype, experience and environmental conditions. How these factors interact to modulate sexual behaviors remains poorly understood. In Drosophila melanogaster, environmental cues, such as food availability, affect mating activity offering a tractable system to investigate the mechanisms modulating sexual behavior. In D. melanogaster, environmental cues are often sensed via the chemosensory gustatory and olfactory systems. Here, we present a method to test the effect of environmental chemical cues on mating behavior. The assay consists of a small mating arena containing food medium and a mating couple. The mating frequency for each couple is continuously monitored for 24 h. Here we present the applicability of this assay to test environmental compounds from an external source through a pressurized air system as well as manipulation of the environmental components directly in the mating arena. The use of a pressurized air system is especially useful to test the effect of very volatile compounds, while manipulating components directly in the mating arena can be of value to ascertain a compound's presence. This assay can be adapted to answer questions about the influence of genetic and environmental cues on mating behavior and fecundity as well as other male and female reproductive behaviors.

A Method to Test the Effect of Environmental Cues on Mating Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

We demonstrate an assay to analyze the environmental and genetic cues that influence mating behavior in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

Een methode om het effect van milieueisen op paring gedrag in te testen<em&gt; Drosophila melanogaster</em

An individual's sexual drive is influenced by genotype, experience and environmental conditions. How these factors interact to modulate sexual behaviors ...

Novel Object Recognition Test for the Investigation of Learning and Memory in Mice

The object recognition test (ORT) is a commonly used behavioral assay for the investigation of various aspects of learning and memory in mice. The ORT is fairly simple and can be completed over 3 days: habituation day, training day, and testing day. During training, the mouse is allowed to explore 2 identical objects. On test day, one of the training objects is replaced with a novel object. Because mice have an innate preference for novelty, if the mouse recognizes the familiar object, it will spend most of its time at the novel object. Due to this innate preference, there is no need for positive or negative reinforcement or long training schedules. Additionally, the ORT can also be modified for numerous applications. The retention interval can be shortened to examine short-term memory, or lengthened to probe long-term memory. Pharmacological intervention can be used at various times prior to training, after training, or prior to recall to investigate different phases of learning (i.e., acquisition, early or late consolidation, or recall). Overall, the ORT is a relatively low-stress, efficient test for memory in mice, and is appropriate for the detection of neuropsychological changes following pharmacological, biological, or genetic manipulations.

The object recognition test (ORT) is a simple and efficient assay for evaluating learning and memory in mice. The methodology is described below.

De herkenningstest roman-Object voor het onderzoek naar leren en geheugen in muizen

The object recognition test (ORT) is a commonly used behavioral assay for the investigation of various aspects of learning and memory in mice. The ORT is ...

Measuring Active and Passive Tameness Separately in Mice

Domesticated animals such as dogs and laboratory mice show a high level of tameness, which is important for humans to handle them easily. Tameness has two behavioral components: a reluctance to avoid humans (passive tameness) and a motivation to approach humans (active tameness). To quantify these components in mice, we previously developed behavioral tests for active tameness, passive tameness, and the willingness to stay on a human hand, each designed to be completed within 3 min. The data obtained were used for selective breeding, with a large number of mice analyzed per generation. The active tameness test measures the movement of the mouse toward a human hand and the contact it engages in. The passive tameness test measures the duration of time that a mouse tolerates human touch. In the stay-on-hand test, a mouse is placed on a human hand and touched slowly using the thumb of that hand; the duration of time that the animal remains on the hand is measured. Here, we describe the test set-up and apparatus, explain the procedures, and discuss the appropriate data analysis. Finally, we explain how to interpret the results.

Tameness in animals includes a reduction of avoidance responses to humans (passive tameness) and an increase in active approaches to humans (active tameness). Here, we describe detailed protocols for three behavioral tests (active tameness, passive tameness, and stay-on-hand tests) to separately measure the active and passive tameness of mice.

Meten van actieve en passieve Tameness afzonderlijk in muizen

Domesticated animals such as dogs and laboratory mice show a high level of tameness, which is important for humans to handle them easily. Tameness has two ...