Comparison of two methods for quantitative assessment of unrestrained locomotion in the rat

Majczyński, Henryk; Maleszak, Katarzyna; Górska, T; Sławińska, Urszula

doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.02.023

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It greatly increases the number and complexity of experimental outcomes that can be simultaneously gathered and potentially minimizes investigator time and effort while increasing throughput in data gathering. Many approaches, including the use of contact electrodes, 3 robotic gait analysis devices, 4 and digital footprint analysis, 5 have been used to automate gait analysis to avoid potential observer bias or limitations. Video-based approaches, such as three-dimensional video analysis 8 and CatWalkÔ, [9][10][11][12] can improve the scope and details of data gathered, but as with BBB scoring, are limited to the gait speed at which the animal chooses to locomote.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gait Analysis at Multiple Speeds Reveals Differential Functional and Structural Outcomes in Response to Graded Spinal Cord Injury

Krizsan-Agbas

Winter

Eggimann

et al. 2014

Journal of Neurotrauma

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Open-field behavioral scoring is widely used to assess spinal cord injury (SCI) outcomes, but has limited usefulness in describing subtle changes important for posture and locomotion. Additional quantitative methods are needed to increase the resolution of locomotor outcome assessment. This study used gait analysis at multiple speeds (GAMS) across a range of mild-to-severe intensities of thoracic SCI in the rat. Overall, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores and subscores were assessed, and detailed automated gait analysis was performed at three fixed walking speeds (3.5, 6.0, and 8.5 cm/sec). Variability in hindpaw brake, propel, and stance times were analyzed further by integrating across the stance phase of stepping cycles. Myelin staining of spinal cord sections was used to quantify white matter loss at the injury site. Varied SCI intensity produced graded deficits in BBB score, BBB subscores, and spinal cord white matter and total volume loss. GAMS measures of posture revealed decreased paw area, increased limb extension, altered stance width, and decreased values for integrated brake, propel, and stance. Measures of coordination revealed increased stride frequency concomitant with decreased stride length, resulting in deviation from consistent forelimb/hindlimb coordination. Alterations in posture and coordination were correlated to impact severity. GAMS results correlated highly with functional and histological measures and revealed differential relationships between sets of GAMS dynamics and cord total volume loss versus epicenter myelin loss. Automated gait analysis at multiple speeds is therefore a useful tool for quantifying nuanced changes in gait as an extension of histological and observational methods in assessing SCI outcomes.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gait Analysis at Multiple Speeds Reveals Differential Functional and Structural Outcomes in Response to Graded Spinal Cord Injury

Krizsan-Agbas

Winter

Eggimann

et al. 2014

Journal of Neurotrauma

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, many of the locomotor measures used to assess changes in rodent gait are dependent upon the animal’s walking velocity (Hruska et al, 1979, Hruska and Silbergeld, 1979, Clarke and Parker, 1986, Koopmans et al, 2007, Majczyński et al, 2007). For example, a rodent takes short strides gradually when traveling slowly, and takes long strides rapidly when traveling fast.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying changes following spinal cord injury with velocity dependent locomotor measures

Neckel

Dai

Bregman

2013

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many locomotor measures commonly used to assess functional deficits following neurological injury are velocity dependent. This makes the comparison of faster pre-injury walking to slower post-injury walking a challenging process. In lieu of calculating mean values at specific velocities, we have employed the use of nonlinear regression techniques to quantify locomotor measures across all velocities. This enables us to assess more accurately the locomotor recovery of rats after a cervical spinal cord injury. For example, while the mean stride length of the hindlimbs decreased following injury, regression analysis revealed that the change was due to the reduction in walking speed and not a functional deficit. A significant difference in the percent of the right forelimb step cycle that was spent in stance phase, or duty factor, was found across all velocities, however this deficit spontaneously recovered after 6 weeks. Conversely, no differences were initially found in hindlimb stride length, but abnormal compensatory techniques were found to have developed 3 weeks after injury.

show abstract

“…The main advantage of this method is its accuracy. In addition, no anesthesia is needed during the testing session (Majczynski et al, 2007).…”

Section: Contact Electrode Recordingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods for behavioral testing of spinal cord injured rats

Šedý

Urdzíková

Jendelová

et al. 2008

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

119

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Comparison of two methods for quantitative assessment of unrestrained locomotion in the rat

Cited by 15 publications

References 36 publications

Gait Analysis at Multiple Speeds Reveals Differential Functional and Structural Outcomes in Response to Graded Spinal Cord Injury

Gait Analysis at Multiple Speeds Reveals Differential Functional and Structural Outcomes in Response to Graded Spinal Cord Injury

Quantifying changes following spinal cord injury with velocity dependent locomotor measures

Methods for behavioral testing of spinal cord injured rats

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About