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Charalambous D, Strasser T, Tichy A, Bockstahler B. Ground Reaction Forces and Center of Pressure within the Paws When Stepping over Obstacles in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12131702. [PMID: 35804600 PMCID: PMC9264929 DOI: 10.3390/ani12131702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Physical therapy and rehabilitation are emerging in veterinary medicine, and more research is needed to understand the effect of various exercises on kinematics and kinetics in animals. This will allow the animal physiotherapist to best utilize these exercises as a therapeutic and even diagnostic tool. Walking over obstacles is a typical canine physiotherapy exercise; however, no studies investigating the kinetics have been conducted. The present study showed significant changes in ground reaction forces and center of pressure in dogs walking over obstacles compared to normal walking. This can reflect a challenge that the animals have to overcome in order to perform this exercise. The data can be used for further studies in diseased animals or in the future as a diagnostic tool. Abstract Walking over obstacles is a widely used physiotherapy exercise in dogs. Current research is limited to the effect of this exercise in kinematics and muscle activation in dogs. The present study assessed the influence of walking over obstacles on the ground reaction forces (GRFs) and center of pressure (COP) in dogs. Data of dogs walking over one and two obstacles over a pressure platform were retrospectively analyzed and compared to normal walking. Walking over one obstacle did not affect the GRFs and COP of the forelimbs; however, significant changes were observed for the hindlimbs, especially the leading hindlimb. Walking over two obstacles caused significant changes to only one value at the forelimbs, whereas multiple significant changes in the GRFs and COP values were observed at the hindlimbs. Walking over obstacles seems to be challenging even for healthy adult dogs. Further studies are needed to investigate how different heights of obstacles and distances between them can further challenge the animals. The combination of kinetics and kinematics during walking over obstacles may be used in future as a diagnostic tool in geriatric and neurological patients in order to assess their proprioception awareness or to assess the improvement after an intervention, e.g., physiotherapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danae Charalambous
- Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Small Animals, Small Animal Surgery, Section for Physical Therapy, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (T.S.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Therese Strasser
- Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Small Animals, Small Animal Surgery, Section for Physical Therapy, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (T.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Alexander Tichy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Platform for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Barbara Bockstahler
- Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Clinic for Small Animals, Small Animal Surgery, Section for Physical Therapy, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (T.S.); (B.B.)
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Warren RA, Zhang Q, Hoffman JR, Li EY, Hong YK, Bruno RM, Sawtell NB. A rapid whisker-based decision underlying skilled locomotion in mice. eLife 2021; 10:63596. [PMID: 33428566 PMCID: PMC7800376 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Skilled motor behavior requires rapidly integrating external sensory input with information about internal state to decide which movements to make next. Using machine learning approaches for high-resolution kinematic analysis, we uncover the logic of a rapid decision underlying sensory-guided locomotion in mice. After detecting obstacles with their whiskers mice select distinct kinematic strategies depending on a whisker-derived estimate of obstacle location together with the position and velocity of their body. Although mice rely on whiskers for obstacle avoidance, lesions of primary whisker sensory cortex had minimal impact. While motor cortex manipulations affected the execution of the chosen strategy, the decision-making process remained largely intact. These results highlight the potential of machine learning for reductionist analysis of naturalistic behaviors and provide a case in which subcortical brain structures appear sufficient for mediating a relatively sophisticated sensorimotor decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Warren
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Qianyun Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Judah R Hoffman
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Edward Y Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Y Kate Hong
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Randy M Bruno
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Nathaniel B Sawtell
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, United States
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Mullié Y, Arto I, Yahiaoui N, Drew T. Contribution of the Entopeduncular Nucleus and the Globus Pallidus to the Control of Locomotion and Visually Guided Gait Modifications in the Cat. Cereb Cortex 2020; 30:5121-5146. [PMID: 32377665 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that the entopeduncular (EP) nucleus (feline equivalent of the primate GPi) and the globus pallidus (GPe) contribute to both the planning and execution of locomotion and voluntary gait modifications in the cat. We recorded from 414 cells distributed throughout these two nuclei (referred to together as the pallidum) while cats walked on a treadmill and stepped over an obstacle that advanced towards them. Neuronal activity in many cells in both structures was modulated on a step-by-step basis during unobstructed locomotion and was modified in the step over the obstacle. On a population basis, the most frequently observed change, in both the EP and the GPe, was an increase in activity prior to and/or during the swing phase of the step over the obstacle by the contralateral forelimb, when it was the first limb to pass over the obstacle. Our results support a contribution of the pallidum, in concert with cortical structures, to the control of both the planning and the execution of the gait modifications. We discuss the results in the context of current models of pallidal action on thalamic activity, including the possibility that cells in the EP with increased activity may sculpt thalamo-cortical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Mullié
- Département de Neurosciences, Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Pavillon Paul-G. Desmarais, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Irène Arto
- Département de Neurosciences, Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Pavillon Paul-G. Desmarais, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Nabiha Yahiaoui
- Département de Neurosciences, Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Pavillon Paul-G. Desmarais, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Trevor Drew
- Département de Neurosciences, Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central (GRSNC), Université de Montréal, Pavillon Paul-G. Desmarais, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3J7, Canada
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Reiter AJ, Kivitz GJ, Castile RM, Cannon PC, Lakes EH, Jacobs BY, Allen KD, Chamberlain AM, Lake SP. Functional Measures of Grip Strength and Gait Remain Altered Long-term in a Rat Model of Post-traumatic Elbow Contracture. J Biomech Eng 2019; 141:2730666. [PMID: 30958506 PMCID: PMC6611348 DOI: 10.1115/1.4043433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic joint contracture (PTJC) is a debilitating condition, particularly in the elbow. Previously, we established an animal model of elbow PTJC quantifying passive post-mortem joint mechanics and histological changes temporally. These results showed persistent motion loss similar to what is experienced in humans. Functional assessment of PTJC in our model was not previously considered; however, these measures would provide a clinically relevant measure and would further validate our model by demonstrating persistently altered joint function. To this end, a custom bilateral grip strength device was developed, and a recently established open-source gait analysis system was used to quantify forelimb function in our unilateral injury model. In vivo joint function was shown to be altered long-term and never fully recover. Specifically, forelimb strength in the injured limbs showed persistent deficits at all time points; additionally, gait patterns remained imbalanced and asymmetric throughout the study (although a few gait parameters did return to near normal levels). A quantitative understanding of these longitudinal, functional disabilities further strengthens the clinical relevance of our rat PTJC model enabling assessment of the effectiveness of future interventions aimed at reducing or preventing PTJC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J. Reiter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
and Materials Science,
Washington University in St. Louis,
St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Griffin J. Kivitz
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
and Materials Science,
Washington University in St. Louis,
St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Ryan M. Castile
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
and Materials Science,
Washington University in St. Louis,
St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Paul C. Cannon
- Seed Production Innovation,
Bayer Crop Science,
St. Louis, MO 63146
| | - Emily H. Lakes
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department
of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Brittany Y. Jacobs
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department
of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Kyle D. Allen
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department
of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Florida,
Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Aaron M. Chamberlain
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
Washington University in St. Louis,
St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Spencer P. Lake
- Department of Mechanical Engineeringand Materials Science,
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,Department of Biomedical Engineering,Washington University in St. Louis,
St. Louis, MO 63130
e-mail:
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Temporal Patterns of Motion in Flexion-extension and Pronation-supination in a Rat Model of Posttraumatic Elbow Contracture. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2018; 476:1878-1889. [PMID: 30001292 PMCID: PMC6259801 DOI: 10.1097/corr.0000000000000388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The elbow is highly susceptible to contracture, which affects up to 50% of patients who experience elbow trauma. Previously, we developed a rat model to study elbow contracture that exhibited features similar to the human condition, including persistently decreased ROM and increased capsule thickness/adhesions. However, elbow ROM was not quantitatively evaluated over time throughout contracture development and subsequent mobilization of the joint. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES The purposes of this study were (1) to quantify the time-dependent mechanics of contracture, including comparison of contracture after immobilization and free mobilization; and (2) to determine what changes occur in capsule and joint surface morphology that may support the altered joint mechanics. METHODS A total of 96 male Long-Evans rats were randomized into control and injury (unilateral soft tissue injury/immobilization) groups. Flexion-extension and pronation-supination joint mechanics (n = 8/group) were evaluated after 3, 7, 21, or 42 days of immobilization (IM) or after 42 days of IM with either 21 or 42 days of free mobilization (63 or 84 FM, respectively). After measuring joint mechanics, a subset of these limbs (n = 3/group) was prepared for histologic analysis and blinded sections were scored to evaluate capsule and joint surface morphology. Joint mechanics and capsule histology at 42 IM and 84 FM were reported previously but are included to demonstrate the full timeline of elbow contracture. RESULTS In flexion-extension, injured limb ROM was decreased compared with control (103° ± 11°) by 21 IM (70° ± 13°) (p = 0.001). Despite an increase in injured limb ROM from 42 IM (55° ± 14°) to 63 FM (83° ± 10°) (p < 0.001), injured limb ROM was still decreased compared with control (103° ± 11°) (p = 0.002). Interestingly, ROM recovery plateaued because there was no difference between injured limbs at 63 (83° ± 10°) and 84 FM (73° ± 19°) (p > 0.999). In pronation-supination, increased injured limb ROM occurred until 7 IM (202° ± 32°) compared with control (155° ± 22°) (p = 0.001), representative of joint instability. However, injured limb ROM decreased from 21 (182° ± 25°) to 42 IM (123° ± 47°) (p = 0.001), but was not different compared with control (155° ± 22°) (p = 0.108). Histologic evaluation showed morphologic changes in the anterior capsule (increased adhesions, myofibroblasts, thickness) and nonopposing joint surfaces (surface irregularities with tissue overgrowth, reduced matrix), but these changes did not increase with time. CONCLUSIONS Overall, flexion-extension and pronation-supination exhibited distinct time-dependent patterns during contracture development and joint mobilization. Histologic evaluation showed tissue changes, but did not fully explain the patterns in contracture mechanics. Future work will use this rat model to evaluate the periarticular soft tissues of the elbow to isolate tissue-specific contributions to contracture to ultimately develop strategies for tissue-targeted treatments. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A rat model of posttraumatic elbow contracture quantitatively described contracture development/progression and reiterates the need for rehabilitation strategies that consider both flexion-extension and pronation-supination elbow motion.
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Dunham CL, Castile RM, Chamberlain AM, Galatz LM, Lake SP. Pronation-Supination Motion Is Altered in a Rat Model of Post-Traumatic Elbow Contracture. J Biomech Eng 2018; 139:2621591. [PMID: 28418515 DOI: 10.1115/1.4036472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The elbow joint is highly susceptible to joint contracture, and treating elbow contracture is a challenging clinical problem. Previously, we established an animal model to study elbow contracture that exhibited features similar to the human condition including persistent decreased range of motion (ROM) in flexion-extension and increased capsule thickness/adhesions. The objective of this study was to mechanically quantify pronation-supination in different injury models to determine if significant differences compared to control or contralateral persist long-term in our animal elbow contracture model. After surgically inducing soft tissue damage in the elbow, Injury I (anterior capsulotomy) and Injury II (anterior capsulotomy with lateral collateral ligament transection), limbs were immobilized for 6 weeks (immobilization (IM)). Animals were evaluated after the IM period or following an additional 6 weeks of free mobilization (FM). Total ROM for pronation-supination was significantly decreased compared to the uninjured contralateral limb for both IM and FM, although not different from control limbs. Specifically, for both IM and FM, total ROM for Injury I and Injury II was significantly decreased by ∼20% compared to contralateral. Correlations of measurements from flexion-extension and pronation-supination divulged that FM did not affect these motions in the same way, demonstrating that joint motions need to be studied/treated separately. Overall, injured limbs exhibited persistent motion loss in pronation-supination when comparing side-to-side differences, similar to human post-traumatic joint contracture. Future work will use this animal model to study how elbow periarticular soft tissues contribute to contracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsey L Dunham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 e-mail:
| | - Ryan M Castile
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 e-mail:
| | - Aaron M Chamberlain
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 e-mail:
| | - Leesa M Galatz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029 e-mail:
| | - Spencer P Lake
- Mem. ASME Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130;Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130;Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1185, St. Louis, MO 63130 e-mail:
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Chu KMI, Seto SH, Beloozerova IN, Marlinski V. Strategies for obstacle avoidance during walking in the cat. J Neurophysiol 2017; 118:817-831. [PMID: 28356468 PMCID: PMC5539443 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00033.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Avoiding obstacles is essential for successful navigation through complex environments. This study aimed to clarify what strategies are used by a typical quadruped, the cat, to avoid obstacles during walking. Four cats walked along a corridor 2.5 m long and 25 or 15 cm wide. Obstacles, small round objects 2.5 cm in diameter and 1 cm in height, were placed on the floor in various locations. Movements of the paw were recorded with a motion capture and analysis system (Visualeyez, PTI). During walking in the wide corridor, cats' preferred strategy for avoiding a single obstacle was circumvention, during which the stride direction changed while stride duration and swing-to-stride duration ratio were preserved. Another strategy, stepping over the obstacle, was used during walking in the narrow corridor, when lateral deviations of walking trajectory were restricted. Stepping over the obstacle involved changes in two consecutive strides. The stride preceding the obstacle was shortened, and swing-to-stride ratio was reduced. The obstacle was negotiated in the next stride of increased height and normal duration and swing-to-stride ratio. During walking on a surface with multiple obstacles, both strategies were used. To avoid contact with the obstacle, cats placed the paw away from the object at a distance roughly equal to the diameter of the paw. During obstacle avoidance cats prefer to alter muscle activities without altering the locomotor rhythm. We hypothesize that a choice of the strategy for obstacle avoidance is determined by minimizing the complexity of neuro-motor processes required to achieve the behavioral goal.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In a study of feline locomotor behavior we found that the preferred strategy to avoid a small obstacle is circumvention. During circumvention, stride direction changes but length and temporal structure are preserved. Another strategy, stepping over the obstacle, is used in narrow walkways. During overstepping, two strides adjust. A stride preceding the obstacle decreases in length and duration. The following stride negotiating the obstacle increases in height while retaining normal temporal structure and nearly normal length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M I Chu
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Sandy H Seto
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | | | - Vladimir Marlinski
- Division of Neurobiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
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Lake SP, Castile RM, Borinsky S, Dunham CL, Havlioglu N, Galatz LM. Development and use of an animal model to study post-traumatic stiffness and contracture of the elbow. J Orthop Res 2016; 34:354-64. [PMID: 26177969 DOI: 10.1002/jor.22981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic joint stiffness (PTJS) of the elbow is a debilitating condition that poses unique treatment challenges. While previous research has implicated capsular tissue in PTJS, much regarding the development and progression of this condition remains unknown. The objective of this study was to develop an animal model of post-traumatic elbow contracture and evaluate its potential for studying the etiology of PTJS. The Long-Evans rat was identified as the most appropriate species/breed for development due to anatomical and functional similarities to the human elbow joint. Two surgical protocols of varying severity were utilized to replicate soft tissue damage seen in elbow subluxation/dislocation injuries, including anterior capsulotomy and lateral collateral ligament transection, followed by 6 weeks of unilateral joint immobilization. Following sacrifice, flexion-extension mechanical joint testing demonstrated decreased range-of-motion and increased stiffness for injured-immobilized limbs compared to control and sham animals, where functional impact correlated with severity of injury. Histological evaluation showed increased cellularity, adhesion, and thickness of capsule tissue in injured limbs, consistent with clinical evidence. To our knowledge, this is the first animal model capable of examining challenges unique to the anatomically and biomechanically complex elbow joint. Future studies will use this animal model to investigate mechanisms responsible for PTJS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer P Lake
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, 1 Brookings Hall, Campus Box 1185, St. Louis, 63130, Missouri.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ryan M Castile
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, 1 Brookings Hall, Campus Box 1185, St. Louis, 63130, Missouri
| | - Stephanie Borinsky
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University, 1 Brookings Hall, Campus Box 1185, St. Louis, 63130, Missouri.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Chelsey L Dunham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Necat Havlioglu
- Department of Pathology, John Cochran VA Medical Center, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Leesa M Galatz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
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Setogawa S, Yamaura H, Arasaki T, Endo S, Yanagihara D. Deficits in memory-guided limb movements impair obstacle avoidance locomotion in Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Sci Rep 2014; 4:7220. [PMID: 25427820 PMCID: PMC4245527 DOI: 10.1038/srep07220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory function deficits induced by Alzheimer's disease (AD) are believed to be one of the causes of an increased risk of tripping in patients. Working memory contributes to accurate stepping over obstacles during locomotion, and AD-induced deficits of this memory function may lead to an increased risk of contact with obstacles. We used the triple transgenic (3xTg) mice to examine the effects of memory deficits in terms of tripping and contact with obstacles. We found that the frequency of contact of the hindlimbs during an obstacle avoidance task increased significantly in 10–13 month-old 3xTg (Old-3xTg) mice compared with control mice. However, no changes in limb kinematics during unobstructed locomotion or successful obstacle avoidance locomotion were observed in the Old-3xTg mice. Furthermore, we found that memory-based movements in stepping over an obstacle were impaired in these mice. Our findings suggest that working memory deficits as a result of AD are associated with an increased risk of tripping during locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Setogawa
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yamaura
- 1] Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan [2] Division of Visual Information Processing, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, 38 Nishigonaka Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Tomoko Arasaki
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
| | - Shogo Endo
- Aging Neuroscience Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
| | - Dai Yanagihara
- 1] Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan [2] Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, 5 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0075, Japan
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Aoki S, Sato Y, Yanagihara D. Lesion in the lateral cerebellum specifically produces overshooting of the toe trajectory in leading forelimb during obstacle avoidance in the rat. J Neurophysiol 2013; 110:1511-24. [PMID: 23615542 DOI: 10.1152/jn.01048.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
During locomotion, stepping over an obstacle under visual guidance is crucial to continuous safe walking. Studies of the role of the central nervous system in stepping movements have focused on cerebral cortical areas such as the primary motor cortex and posterior parietal cortex. There is speculation that the lateral cerebellum, which has strong anatomical connections with the cerebral cortex, also plays a key role in stepping movements over an obstacle, although this function of the lateral cerebellum has not yet been elucidated. Here we investigated the role of the lateral cerebellum during obstacle avoidance locomotion in rats with a lateral cerebellar lesion. A unilateral lesion in the lateral cerebellum did not affect limb movements during overground locomotion. Importantly, however, the lesioned animals showed overshooting of the toe trajectory specific to the leading forelimb ipsilateral to the lesion when stepping over an obstacle, and the peak toe position, in which the toe is maximally raised during stepping, shifted away from the upper edge of the obstacle. Recordings of EMG activity from elbow flexor and extensor muscles suggested that the overshooting toe trajectory in the ipsilateral leading forelimb possibly resulted from sustained elbow flexion and delayed elbow extension following prolonged activity of the biceps brachii. These results suggest that the lateral cerebellum specifically contributes to generating appropriate toe trajectories in the ipsilateral leading forelimb and to controlling related muscle activities in stepping over an obstacle, especially when accurate control of the distal extremity is achieved under visual guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Aoki
- Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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