Source Paper
Functional assessments in the rodent stroke model
Krystal L Schaar, Miranda M Brenneman, Sean I Savitz
Experimental & Translational Stroke Medicine • 2010
View Abstract
Abstract Stroke is a common cause of permanent disability accompanied by devastating impairments for which there is a pressing need for effective treatment. Motor, sensory and cognitive deficits are common following stroke, yet treatment is limited. Along with histological measures, functional outcome in animal models has provided valuable insight to the biological basis and potential rehabilitation efforts of experimental stroke. Developing and using tests that have the ability to identify behavioral deficits is essential to expanding the development of translational therapies. The present aim of this paper is to review many of the current behavioral tests that assess functional outcome after stoke in rodent models. While there is no perfect test, there are many assessments that are sensitive to detecting the array of impairments, from global to modality specific, after stroke.
Forelimb Flexion Test
Objective: Assesses forelimb function in rodents, typically used as part of composite neurological assessments following stroke
This is a Forelimb Flexion Test protocol using rodent (rat or mouse) as the model organism. The procedure involves 3 procedural steps, 1 equipment items. Extracted from a 2010 paper published in Experimental & Translational Stroke Medicine.
Model and subjects
rodent (rat or mouse) • not specified • unknown • not specified • not specified
Study window
~1 minutes hands-on
Core workflow
Animal positioning • Assess forelimb flexion response • Record observations
Primary readouts
- Forelimb flexion response graded on 0-3 scale
- Presence or absence of forelimb flexion deficits
- Comparison of forelimb function between ischemic and non-ischemic animals
Key equipment and reagents
Verified items
0
Direct vendor links
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Protocol Steps
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Animal positioning
Position the animal for forelimb flexion assessment
Note: Part of the Bederson scale which includes forelimb flexion, resistance to lateral push and circling behavior
View evidence from paper
“Tests include forelimb flexion, resistance to lateral push and circling behavior”
Assess forelimb flexion response
Evaluate the animal's forelimb flexion response
Note: Scoring uses a grading scale of 0-3 to assess behavioral deficits after stroke
View evidence from paper
“A grading scale of 0-3 is used to assess behavioral deficits after stroke”
Record observations
Record forelimb flexion responses according to the grading scale
Note: Ischemic animals will have significantly more neurological deficits than non-ischemic animals, resulting in a higher score
View evidence from paper
“Ischemic animals will have significantly more neurological deficits than non-ischemic animals, resulting in a higher score”