Motor Control in Chronically Sleep-Restricted Rats: A Behavioral Approach

Abstract

Objective To consider the effect of chronic sleep restriction (CSR) on motor impairment in sleep-restricted rats. Methods A total of 21 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups including control, grid-floor control and CSR using the modified multiple-platform method. At the end of experiment, motor performance was assessed by means of the rotarod test. Results Performance of the CSR rats in the fixed and accelerating speed rotarod tasks was impaired and their endurance time was less than the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion The rotarod motor performance of the CSR rats was reduced, suggesting an impaired motor control function following sleep restriction.