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

Nous remercions M. John Crowell et M. Terry Upshall pour leur expertise technique et d&#39;assistance à la photographie et vidéographie. Ce travail a été financé par des subventions à JLV des Instituts canadiens de recherche en santé et la Société de recherche et de développement de Terre-Neuve et le cœur et la Fondation canadienne des maladies du Partenariat canadien pour la subvention d&#39;exploitation de Stroke Catalyst Recovery. RBR a été récipiendaire d&#39;une bourse de la Fondation des maladies du Graduate Keith Griffiths Memorial Coeur.

Déclaration éthique: Toutes les expériences ont été approuvés par l&#39;Université Memorial de comité d&#39;éthique le soin des animaux de Terre-Neuve, selon les lignes directrices du Conseil canadien de protection des animaux. 1. Souris <ol><li> Utilisez la souris adulte. Dans cette étude, des souris mâles adultes FVBN (n = 10), entre 4.2 mois ont été utilisés. Souris maison sur un h 12:12 inverse cycle lumière-obscurité et fournissent nourriture standard pour rongeurs et de l&#39;eau ad l...

<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. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reducing+excessive+GABA-mediated+tonic+inhibition+promotes+functional+recovery+after+stroke.">Reducing excessive GABA-mediated tonic inhibition promotes functional recovery after stroke.</a> Nature. 468 (7321), 305-309 (2010).</li></ol>

Les points clés pour établir le comportement lors de la quantification de la patte-glisser dans le test du cylindre sont les suivants: i) de quantifier le nombre de patte-traîne par rapport au total des touches de patte pour chaque patte avant une lésion cérébrale d&#39;établir une base de référence; ii) de quantifier le nombre de patte-traîne par rapport aux touches totales de patte pour chaque patte suite à la lésion ischémique; et iii) la distinction entre une patte-glisser et le mouvement latéral de la...

L&#39;objectif des stratégies de régénération de neurones est de démontrer à la fois la réparation des tissus et la récupération fonctionnelle. La récupération fonctionnelle est généralement évaluée par des tests comportementaux qui mesurent les déficits fonctionnels, dans ce cas impliquant des habiletés motrices qui sont associés à des lésions des régions spécifiques du cerveau. Lésion traumatique du cerveau ou une lésion ischémique à la zone de la patte avant sensorimotrice du cortex peuvent être démontrées par un certain nombre de tests comportementaux. Un tel test, le test de la bouteille est largement utilisé chez les rats pour évaluer les déficits fonctionnels de l&#39;activité des membres antérieurs 1. Le test a un faible coût de mise en place ne nécessitant qu&#39;un cylindre, un appareil photo et une table avec un top transparent. Il est facile à administrer car il est basé sur le comportement exploratoire naturelle des rongeurs, afin de pré-formation et la privation de nourriture ou récompenses ne sont pas nécessaires. Malgré ces nombreux avantages, le test du cylindre est sous-utilisé pour évaluer les déficits des membres antérieurs chez des souris après blessures focaux à la patte antérieure sensorimotor cortex, que nous attribuons à l&#39;analyse du comportement de la souris dans le test du cylindre. Asymétrie des membres antérieurs est la mesure classique de l&#39;analyse pour le test du cylindre. Lorsqu&#39;il est placé dans le cylindre, rongeurs explorent naturellement les parois du cylindre par l&#39;élevage sur leurs membres postérieurs et de toucher les parois des cylindres avec leurs pattes des membres antérieurs pour l&#39;équilibre postural. Le nombre de touches de patte avec le mur à chaque membre antérieur est facilement quantifiable en filmant les rongeurs au cours de cette exploration du cylindre. Asymétrie des membres antérieurs se produit lorsque la patte de la patte avant affectés rend moins touches avec la paroi de la patte antérieure patte affectée et est un signe de dommages au cortex sensori-moteur controlatéral. Chez le rat, les injections intra-corticale de l&#39;agent vasoconstricteur, l&#39;endothéline (ET-1), dans le cortex sensori-moteur membre antérieur provoque une lésion ischémique focal qui se traduit par des déficits comportementaux dans le membre antérieur contralatéral. Les déficits dans l&#39;utilisation des membres antérieurs controlatéral sont facilement détectés que les changements dans forelimb asymétrie dans le test de la bouteille chez les rats 3.1. Contrairement aux rats Cependant, les changements dans les membres antérieurs asymétrie sont variables et moins cohérente chez des souris après comparables ET-1 injections 4-6. Ici, nous démontrons une nouvelle analyse du comportement des membres antérieurs dans le test du cylindre - analyse du comportement de la patte-glisser. Nous avons précédemment montré que l&#39;analyse de la patte-glisser est une mesure plus sensible de dommages à la patte antérieure du cortex sensori-motrice chez la souris que l&#39;analyse classique des membres antérieurs d&#39;asymétrie et est applicable à une grande variété de modèles de lésion corticales focales donc. Examen de la façon dont les contacts des pattes avant la paroi du cylindre suivant la lésion ischémique dans le cortex sensori-motrice des membres antérieurs a révélé un nouveau comportement chez la souris - patte-glisser 4. A la patte-drag intervient lorsque la souris dresse sur ses pattes arrière pour explorer la paroi du cylindre puis fait glisser sa patte affectée (contre-lésionnelle) le long de la paroi du cylindre vers sa ligne médiane ou vers le bas tout en le mursa patte affectée fournit un soutien postural contre le mur. Paw-traîne se produisent rarement chez les souris indemnes donc l&#39;apparition d&#39;une patte-traînée est un indicateur positif de blessure à la patte antérieure du cortex sensori-4. Nous avons déjà quantifié le comportement de la patte-glisser à la souris après l&#39;ET-1 dommage ischémique à la patte antérieure cortex sensorimoteur et avons montré un comportement de la patte-glisser soutenue chez les souris jusqu&#39;à deux semaines post-AVC 4. Ici, nous montrons que le comportement de la patte-glisser est maintenue jusqu&#39;à quatre semaines post-AVC. Analyse du comportement de la patte-glisser fournit un outil de nouvelle et sensible pour l&#39;évaluation des dommages ischémique focal au cortex sensori-moteur du membre antérieur chez la souris. Sa mise en place peu coûteux, la facilité d&#39;administration et la notation en font un outil simple, mais utile pour évaluer rapidement les déficits comportementaux membres antérieurs chez la souris.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Plexi-glass cylinder</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>17.5cm high, 9.5cm outer diameter, 8.8cm inner diameter, wall thickness 0.35cm (or 3.5 mm)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>viewing table</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>54x56x66.5cm (width x length x height), top of table is a 51x51cm sheet of plexiglass.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mirror</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>34x58cm mirror</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>video camera</td>
			<td>Sony</td>
			<td>DCR-SR42</td>
			<td>Video camera with onboard storage, SD functionality, 40x optical zoom</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>computer</td>
			<td>Dell</td>
			<td>Optiplex 760</td>
			<td>Processor: Intel, 3.0 GHz, Memory 4.00GB (RAM)&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>computer monitor</td>
			<td>Samsung</td>
			<td>S22C350H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Excel (Microsoft Office Professional Plus)</td>
			<td>Microsoft</td>
			<td>v14.0.7106.5003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VLC Media Player</td>
			<td>Video LAN</td>
			<td>v2.1.2</td>
			<td>Media player with playback speed modulation and video support</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>External Hard Drive</td>
			<td>Western Digital</td>
			<td>WDBAAU0020HBK-01</td>
			<td>2 TB</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

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

Le test de cylindre est couramment utilisé pour prédire une lésion ischémique focal au cortex moteur des membres antérieurs chez les rongeurs. Lorsqu&#39;il est placé dans le cylindre, rongeurs explorer par l&#39;élevage et de toucher les parois du cylindre avec leurs pattes des membres antérieurs pour un soutien postural. Après une lésion ischémique du cortex sensori-moteur du membre antérieur, les rats se fient davantage sur leur patte avant patte affectée pour le soutien postural entraîne moins de touches avec leur patte affectée qui est appelé forelimb asymétrie. En revanche, une lésion ischémique focal dans le cerveau de la souris ne parvient pas à entraîner des déficits cohérentes comparables dans asymétrie des membres antérieurs. Si les déficits des membres antérieurs d&#39;asymétrie sont rarement observés, les souris ne démontrent un roman comportement post-AVC appelé &quot;patte traîner&quot;. Paw traîner est la tendance pour une souris pour faire glisser sa patte affectée le long de la paroi du cylindre plutôt que de pousser directement sur de la paroi lors du démontage d&#39;un arrière à une position à quatre pattes. Nous avons précédemment démontré quecomportement traînant la patte est très sensible aux petites blessures ischémiques corticales au cortex moteur des membres antérieurs. Ici, nous fournissons un protocole détaillé pour l&#39;analyse de la patte-glisser. Nous définissons ce qu&#39;est une patte-traînée est et démontrons comment quantifier le comportement de la patte-glisser. Le test du cylindre est un test simple et peu coûteux à administrer et ne nécessite pas de pré-formation ou les stratégies de la privation de nourriture. En utilisant l&#39;analyse de la patte-glisser avec le test du cylindre, il remplit un créneau pour prédire les blessures ischémiques corticales tels que photothrombosis et l&#39;endothéline-1 (ET-1) l&#39;ischémie induite - deux modèles qui sont de plus en plus en popularité et produisent blessures focaux petits que l&#39;occlusion de l&#39;artère cérébrale moyenne. Enfin, la mesure du comportement de la patte-glisser dans le test du cylindre permettra des études de récupération fonctionnelle après une lésion corticale en utilisant une large cohorte de souches de souris transgéniques où l&#39;analyse précédente des membres antérieurs d&#39;asymétrie a échoué à détecter des déficits constants.

Nous avons déjà démontré que le comportement de la patte-glisser apparaît suite à une blessure ischémique focal à la patte antérieure sensori cortex et est un indicateur positif de dommages 4. Les injections intra-corticale de l&#39;ET-1 dans le cortex sensori-motrice des membres antérieurs ont été utilisés pour induire une lésion ischémique (figure 8A, B). Cette étude a examiné si le comportement de la patte-glisser prolongé pour plus de 14 jours après la blessure pour son...

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

L&#39;analyse classique des membres antérieurs de l&#39;asymétrie de l&#39;épreuve de la bouteille est couramment utilisée pour évaluer les déficits comportementaux chez les rats après une lésion cérébrale ou accident vasculaire cérébral; toutefois, il ne parvient pas à détecter les déficits cohérentes chez la souris. Cette étude démontre que la quantification comportement traîner la patte est une analyse plus sensible des lésions cérébrales chez les souris.

Paw-glisser: un roman, une analyse sensible du cylindre Souris 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 moteur Stéréotypie dans le BTBR<em&gt; T<sup&gt; +</sup&gt; Itpr3<sup&gt; Tf</sup</em&gt; / J modèle de souris de l&#39;autisme

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

Recherche

Sciences du comportement

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.

Contextuelles et Cued conditionnement de la peur de test en utilisant un système d&#39;analyse de la vidéo chez des souris

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.

Le test de natation forcée comme un modèle de type dépressif Comportement

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.

Labyrinthe aquatique de Morris Test: Optimisation pour les souris de souche et environnement de test

 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.

Une nouvelle approche pour évaluer les résultats du moteur de profondes cérébrales Effets Stimulation chez le rat Hemiparkinsonian: Escalier et cylindre d&#39;essai

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.

The Treadmill Fatigue Test: Un test simple, à haut débit de fatigue comme comportement pour la souris

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.

Le 4 Montagnes Test: Un test court de la mémoire spatiale avec la haute sensibilité pour le diagnostic de pré-démence Maladie d&#39;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.

Une méthode pour tester l&#39;effet des cotes environnementales sur le comportement d&#39;accouplement dans<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.

Test de reconnaissance d’objet nouveau pour la recherche sur l’apprentissage et la mémoire chez les souris

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.

Mesure Active et Passive docilité séparément chez les souris

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 ...