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Sharma R, Neupane C, Pham TL, Lee M, Lee S, Lee SY, Nam MH, Kim CS, Park JB. Tonic Activation of NR2D-Containing NMDARs Exacerbates Dopaminergic Neuronal Loss in MPTP-Injected Parkinsonian Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7730-7744. [PMID: 37726169 PMCID: PMC10648527 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1955-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
NR2D subunit-containing NMDA receptors (NMDARs) gradually disappear during brain maturation but can be recruited by pathophysiological stimuli in the adult brain. Here, we report that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intoxication recruited NR2D subunit-containing NMDARs that generated an Mg2+-resistant tonic NMDA current (INMDA) in dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain of mature male mice. MPTP selectively generated an Mg2+-resistant tonic INMDA in DA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Consistently, MPTP increased NR2D but not NR2B expression in the midbrain regions. Pharmacological or genetic NR2D interventions abolished the generation of Mg2+-resistant tonic INMDA in SNpc DA neurons, and thus attenuated subsequent DA neuronal loss and gait deficits in MPTP-treated mice. These results show that extrasynaptic NR2D recruitment generates Mg2+-resistant tonic INMDA and exacerbates DA neuronal loss, thus contributing to MPTP-induced Parkinsonism. The state-dependent NR2D recruitment could be a novel therapeutic target for mitigating cell type-specific neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT NR2D subunit-containing NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are widely expressed in the brain during late embryonic and early postnatal development, and then downregulated during brain maturation and preserved at low levels in a few regions of the adult brain. Certain stimuli can recruit NR2D subunits to generate tonic persistent NMDAR currents in nondepolarized neurons in the mature brain. Our results show that MPTP intoxication recruits NR2D subunits in midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, which leads to tonic NMDAR current-promoting dopaminergic neuronal death and consequent abnormal gait behavior in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). This is the first study to indicate that extrasynaptic NR2D recruitment could be a target for preventing neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Sharma
- Department of Biomedicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Physiology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08852, Republic of Korea
| | - Chiranjivi Neupane
- Department of Biomedicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Physiology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08852, Republic of Korea
| | - Thuy Linh Pham
- Department of Biomedicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Physiology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Miae Lee
- Physiology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08852, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeong Lee
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08852, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ho Nam
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Cuk-Seong Kim
- Department of Biomedicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Physiology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Bong Park
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08852, Republic of Korea
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Ritter J, Menger M, Herath SC, Histing T, Kolbenschlag J, Daigeler A, Heinzel JC, Prahm C. Translational evaluation of gait behavior in rodent models of arthritic disorders with the CatWalk device - a narrative review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1255215. [PMID: 37869169 PMCID: PMC10587608 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1255215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthritic disorders have become one of the main contributors to the global burden of disease. Today, they are one of the leading causes of chronic pain and disability worldwide. Current therapies are incapable of treating pain sufficiently and preventing disease progression. The lack of understanding basic mechanisms underlying the initiation, maintenance and progression of arthritic disorders and related symptoms represent the major obstacle in the search for adequate treatments. For a long time, histological evaluation of joint pathology was the predominant outcome parameter in preclinical arthritis models. Nevertheless, quantification of pain and functional limitations analogs to arthritis related symptoms in humans is essential to enable bench to bedside translation and to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatment strategies. As the experience of pain and functional deficits are often associated with altered gait behavior, in the last decades, automated gait analysis has become a well-established tool for the quantitative evaluation of the sequalae of arthritic disorders in animal models. The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed overview on the current literature on the use of the CatWalk gait analysis system in rodent models of arthritic disorders, e.g., Osteoarthritis, Monoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Special focus is put on the assessment and monitoring of pain-related behavior during the course of the disease. The capability of evaluating the effect of distinct treatment strategies and the future potential for the application of the CatWalk in rodent models of arthritic disorders is also addressed in this review. Finally, we discuss important consideration and provide recommendations on the use of the CatWalk in preclinical models of arthritic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ritter
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Menger
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Steven C Herath
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Tina Histing
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Kolbenschlag
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Adrien Daigeler
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Johannes C Heinzel
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology - The Research Center in Cooperation with AUVA, Vienna, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cosima Prahm
- Department of Hand-, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Klinik Tuebingen, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Parra I, Martínez I, Vásquez-Celaya L, Gongora-Alfaro JL, Tizabi Y, Mendieta L. Neuroprotective and Immunomodulatory Effects of Probiotics in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Neurotox Res 2023; 41:187-200. [PMID: 36662412 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It is now well recognized that a bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and the brain, referred to as the gut-brain axis, plays a prominent role in maintaining homeostasis and that a disruption in this axis can result in neuroinflammatory response and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). The protective action of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in various animal models of PD has been reported. Therefore, in this study, we used an inflammatory model of PD to assess the effects of a combination of these two probiotics (Microbiot®) on motor behavior as well as on the response of microglia, including microglia morphology, to gain a better understanding of their mechanism of action. Microbiot® (300 µL) was administered orally once daily for 15 days in a lipopolysaccharide-induced PD model using male Wistar rats. Although LPS-induced motor asymmetry in cylinder test was not affected by Microbiot®, impairment of motor coordination in the narrow-beam test was significantly reduced by this probiotic. Moreover, Microbiot® treatment reduced microglial activation suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect. While further mechanistic investigation of Microbiot® in neurodegenerative diseases is warranted, our results support the potential utility of probiotics in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irving Parra
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, San Claudio CU, 14 Sur Y AvCol. San Manuel, 72570, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Isabel Martínez
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, San Claudio CU, 14 Sur Y AvCol. San Manuel, 72570, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Lizbeth Vásquez-Celaya
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr, Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Jose L Gongora-Alfaro
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr, Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Liliana Mendieta
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, San Claudio CU, 14 Sur Y AvCol. San Manuel, 72570, Puebla, Mexico.
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Allgood JE, Roballo KCS, Sparks BB, Bushman JS. The effects of graft source and orientation on outcomes after ablation of a branched peripheral nerve. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1055490. [DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1055490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Segmental peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) are the most common cause of enduring nervous system dysfunction. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) has an extensive and highly branching organization. While much is known about the factors that affect regeneration through sharp bisections and linear ablations of peripheral nerves, very little has been investigated or documented about PNIs that ablate branch points. Such injuries present additional complexity compared to linear segmental defects. This study compared outcomes following ablation of a branch point with branched grafts, specifically examining how graft source and orientation of the branched graft contributed to regeneration. The model system was Lewis rats that underwent a 2.5 cm ablation that started in the sciatic nerve trunk and included the peroneal/tibial branch point. Rats received grafts that were rat sciatic autograft, inbred sciatic allograft, and inbred femoral allograft, each of which was a branched graft of 2.5 cm. Allografts were obtained from Lewis rats, which is an inbred strain. Both branches of the sciatic grafts were mixed motor and sensory while the femoral grafts were smaller in diameter than sciatic grafts and one branch of the femoral graft is sensory and the other motor. All branched grafts were sutured into the defect in two orientations dictated by which branch in the graft was sutured to the tibial vs peroneal stumps in recipients. Outcome measures include compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and CatWalk gait analysis throughout the recovery period, with toluidine blue for intrinsic nerve morphometry and retrograde labeling conducted at the 36-week experimental end point. Results indicate that graft source and orientation does play a significant role earlier in the regenerative process but by 36 weeks all groups showed very similar indications of regeneration across multiple outcomes.
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Zheng G, Zhang H, Tail M, Wang H, Walter J, Skutella T, Unterberg A, Zweckberger K, Younsi A. Assessment of hindlimb motor recovery after severe thoracic spinal cord injury in rats: classification of CatWalk XT® gait analysis parameters. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1084-1089. [PMID: 36254997 PMCID: PMC9827780 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of locomotion recovery in preclinical studies of experimental spinal cord injury remains challenging. We studied the CatWalk XT® gait analysis for evaluating hindlimb functional recovery in a widely used and clinically relevant thoracic contusion/compression spinal cord injury model in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to either a T9 spinal cord injury or sham laminectomy. Locomotion recovery was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan open field rating scale and the CatWalk XT® gait analysis. To determine the potential bias from weight changes, corrected hindlimb (H) values (divided by the unaffected forelimb (F) values) were calculated. Six weeks after injury, cyst formation, astrogliosis, and the deposition of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining. Compared with the baseline, a significant spontaneous recovery could be observed in the CatWalk XT® parameters max intensity, mean intensity, max intensity at%, and max contact mean intensity from 4 weeks after injury onwards. Of note, corrected values (H/F) of CatWalk XT® parameters showed a significantly less vulnerability to the weight changes than absolute values, specifically in static parameters. The corrected CatWalk XT® parameters were positively correlated with the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan rating scale scores, cyst formation, the immunointensity of astrogliosis and chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan deposition. The CatWalk XT® gait analysis and especially its static parameters, therefore, seem to be highly useful in assessing spontaneous recovery of hindlimb function after severe thoracic spinal cord injury. Because many CatWalk XT® parameters of the hindlimbs seem to be affected by body weight changes, using their corrected values might be a valuable option to improve this dependency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mohamed Tail
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Walter
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Skutella
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Unterberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Zweckberger
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Younsi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,Correspondence to: Alexander Younsi, .
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Mirkiani S, Roszko DA, O'Sullivan C, Faridi P, Hu DS, Fang D, Everaert DG, Toossi A, Konrad PE, Robinson K, Mushahwar VK. Overground gait kinematics and muscle activation patterns in the Yucatan mini pig. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35172283 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac55ac] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective The objectives of this study were to assess gait biomechanics and the effect of overground walking speed on gait parameters, kinematics, and electromyographic (EMG) activity in the hindlimb muscles of Yucatan Minipigs (YMPs). Approach Nine neurologically-intact, adult YMPs were trained to walk overground in a straight line. Whole-body kinematics and EMG activity of hindlimb muscles were recorded and analyzed at 6 different speed ranges (0.4-0.59, 0.6-0.79, 0.8-0.99, 1.0-1.19, 1.2-1.39, and 1.4-1.6 m/s). A MATLAB program was developed to detect strides and gait events automatically from motion-captured data. The kinematics and EMG activity were analyzed for each stride based on the detected events. Main results Significant decreases in stride duration, stance and swing times and an increase in stride length were observed with increasing speed. A transition in gait pattern occurred at the 1.0m/s walking speed. Significant increases in the range of motion of the knee and ankle joints were observed at higher speeds. Also, the points of minimum and maximum joint angles occurred earlier in the gait cycle as the walking speed increased. The onset of EMG activity in the biceps femoris muscle occurred significantly earlier in the gait cycle with increasing speed. Significance YMPs are becoming frequently used as large animal models for preclinical testing and translation of novel interventions to humans. A comprehensive characterization of overground walking in neurologically-intact YMPs is provided in this study. These normative measures set the basis against which the effects of future interventions on locomotor capacity in YMPs can be compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Mirkiani
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - David A Roszko
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - Carly O'Sullivan
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz, Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - Pouria Faridi
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - David S Hu
- Department of Medicine and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - Daniel Fang
- Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - Dirk G Everaert
- Department of Medicine and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - Amirali Toossi
- Neuroscience & Mental Health Institute and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
| | - Peter E Konrad
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University, PO Box 9183, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, UNITED STATES
| | - Kevin Robinson
- School of Physical Therapy, Belmont University, 341 McWhorter Hall, Nashville, Tennessee, 37212, UNITED STATES
| | - Vivian K Mushahwar
- Department of Medicine and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R3, CANADA
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Dhanya SK, Hasan G. Deficits Associated With Loss of STIM1 in Purkinje Neurons Including Motor Coordination Can Be Rescued by Loss of Septin 7. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:794807. [PMID: 34993201 PMCID: PMC8724567 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.794807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Septins are cytoskeletal proteins that can assemble to form heteromeric filamentous complexes and regulate a range of membrane-associated cellular functions. SEPT7, a member of the septin family, functions as a negative regulator of the plasma membrane–localized store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) channel, Orai in Drosophila neurons, and in human neural progenitor cells. Knockdown of STIM, a Ca2+ sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and an integral component of SOCE, leads to flight deficits in Drosophila that can be rescued by partial loss of SEPT7 in neurons. Here, we tested the effect of reducing and removing SEPT7 in mouse Purkinje neurons (PNs) with the loss of STIM1. Mice with the complete knockout of STIM1 in PNs exhibit several age-dependent changes. These include altered gene expression in PNs, which correlates with increased synapses between climbing fiber (CF) axons and Purkinje neuron (PN) dendrites and a reduced ability to learn a motor coordination task. Removal of either one or two copies of the SEPT7 gene in STIM1KO PNs restored the expression of a subset of genes, including several in the category of neuron projection development. Importantly, the rescue of gene expression in these animals is accompanied by normal CF-PN innervation and an improved ability to learn a motor coordination task in aging mice. Thus, the loss of SEPT7 in PNs further modulates cerebellar circuit function in STIM1KO animals. Our findings are relevant in the context of identifying SEPT7 as a putative therapeutic target for various neurodegenerative diseases caused by reduced intracellular Ca2+ signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreeja Kumari Dhanya
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- SASTRA University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- *Correspondence: Gaiti Hasan,
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Pitzer C, Kurpiers B, Eltokhi A. Gait performance of adolescent mice assessed by the CatWalk XT depends on age, strain and sex and correlates with speed and body weight. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21372. [PMID: 34725364 PMCID: PMC8560926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00625-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The automatization of behavioral tests assessing motor activity in rodent models is important for providing robust and reproducible results and evaluating new therapeutics. The CatWalk system is an observer-independent, automated and computerized technique for the assessment of gait performance in rodents. This method has previously been used in adult rodent models of CNS-based movement disorders such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. As motor and gait abnormalities in neuropsychiatric disorders are observed during infancy and adolescence, it became important to validate the CatWalk XT in the gait analysis of adolescent mice and unravel factors that may cause variations in gait performance. Three adolescent wild-type inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6N, DBA/2 and FVB/N, were tested using the CatWalk XT (Version 10.6) for suitable detection settings to characterize several gait parameters at P32 and P42. The same detection settings being suitable for C57BL/6N and DBA/2 mice allowed a direct comparison between the two strains. On the other hand, due to their increased body weight and size, FVB/N mice required different detection settings. The CatWalk XT reliably measured the temporal, spatial, and interlimb coordination parameters in the investigated strains during adolescence. Additionally, significant effects of sex, development, speed and body weight within each strain confirmed the sensitivity of motor and gait functions to these factors. The CatWalk gait analysis of rodents during adolescence, taking the effect of age, strain, sex, speed and body weight into consideration, will decrease intra-laboratory discrepancies and increase the face validity of rodent models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pitzer
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Barbara Kurpiers
- Interdisciplinary Neurobehavioral Core, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Eltokhi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
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9
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Combination of Defined CatWalk Gait Parameters for Predictive Locomotion Recovery in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Rat Models. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0497-20.2021. [PMID: 33593735 PMCID: PMC7986542 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0497-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In many preclinical spinal cord injury (SCI) studies, assessment of locomotion recovery is key to understanding the effectiveness of the experimental intervention. In such rat SCI studies, the most basic locomotor recovery scoring system is a subjective observation of animals freely roaming in an open field, the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score. In comparison, CatWalk is an automated gait analysis system, providing further parameter specifications. Although together the CatWalk parameters encompass gait, studies consistently report single parameters, which differ in significance from other behavioral assessments. Therefore, we believe no single parameter produced by the CatWalk can represent the fully-coordinated motion of gait. Typically, other locomotor assessments, such as the BBB score, combine several locomotor characteristics into a representative score. For this reason, we ranked the most distinctive CatWalk parameters between uninjured and SC injured rats. Subsequently, we combined nine of the topmost parameters into an SCI gait index score based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The resulting combination was applied to assess gait recovery in SCI experiments comprising of three thoracic contusions, a thoracic dorsal hemisection, and a cervical dorsal column lesion model. For thoracic lesions, our unbiased machine learning model revealed gait differences in lesion type and severity. In some instances, our LDA was found to be more sensitive in differentiating recovery than the BBB score alone. We believe the newly developed gait parameter combination presented here should be used in CatWalk gait recovery work with preclinical thoracic rat SCI models.
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Heinzel JC, Oberhauser V, Keibl C, Swiadek N, Längle G, Frick H, Kolbenschlag J, Prahm C, Grillari J, Hercher D. Evaluation of Functional Recovery in Rats After Median Nerve Resection and Autograft Repair Using Computerized Gait Analysis. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:593545. [PMID: 33551723 PMCID: PMC7859340 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.593545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Computerized gait analysis is a common evaluation method in rat models of hind limb nerve injuries, but its use remains unpublished in models of segmental nerve injury of the forelimb. It was the aim of this work to investigate if computerized gait analysis is a feasible evaluation method in a rat model of segmental median nerve injury and autograft repair. Ten male Lewis rats underwent 7-mm resection of the right median nerve with immediate autograft repair. The left median nerve was resected without repair and served as an internal control. Animals were assessed for 12 weeks after surgery via CatWalk (CW) gait analysis every 2 weeks. Evaluation of motor recovery by means of the grasping test was performed weekly while electrophysiological measurements were performed at the end of the observation period. CW data were correlated with grasping strength at each post-operative time point. CW data were also correlated with electrophysiology using linear regression analysis. Principal component analysis was performed to identify clusters of outcome metrics. Recovery of motor function was observable 4 weeks after surgery, but grasping strength was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) compared to baseline values until post-operative week 6. In terms of sensory recovery, the pain-related parameter Duty Cycle showed significant (p < 0.05) recovery starting from post-operative week 8. The Print Area of the right paw was significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the left side starting from post-operative week 10. Various parameters of gait correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with mean and maximum grasping strength. However, only Stand Index showed a significant correlation with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude (p < 0.05). With this work, we prove that computerized gait analysis is a valid and feasible method to evaluate functional recovery after autograft repair of the rat median nerve. We were able to identify parameters such as Print Area, Duty Cycle, and Stand Index, which allow assessment of nerve regeneration. The course of these parameters following nerve resection without repair was also assessed. Additionally, external paw rotation was identified as a valid parameter to evaluate motor reinnervation. In summary, computerized gait analysis is a valuable additional tool to study nerve regeneration in rats with median nerve injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes C Heinzel
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Oberhauser
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Keibl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Swiadek
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Längle
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Helen Frick
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jonas Kolbenschlag
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Cosima Prahm
- Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, BG Trauma Center Tuebingen, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Grillari
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, BOKU-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Hercher
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Heinzel J, Längle G, Oberhauser V, Hausner T, Kolbenschlag J, Prahm C, Grillari J, Hercher D. Use of the CatWalk gait analysis system to assess functional recovery in rodent models of peripheral nerve injury – a systematic review. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 345:108889. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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12
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Cornet S, Périer C, Wagner S, Andriambeloson E, Pouzet B, Kalinichev M. The use of the dynamic weight bearing test to assess the effects of acute, intramuscularly administered botulinum neurotoxin type A1 in rats. Toxicon X 2020; 7:100041. [PMID: 32550595 PMCID: PMC7286111 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2020.100041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in vivo is essential given the growing number of BoNT products used in the clinic. Here, we evaluated the dynamic weight bearing (DWB) test for sensitivity to paralytic effects of BoNT-A following intramuscular administration. The toxin was administered into the gastrocnemius lateralis as a single bolus or into the gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis as two boluses. The effects of BoNT-A in DWB were compared to those in the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and the Digit Abduction Score (DAS) tests. Female Sprague-Dawley rats received an acute, intramuscular (i.m.) injection of BoNT-A1 (0.1, 1, 10 pg/rat) into the right gastrocnemius muscle, while the left received vehicle. The DWB and CMAP tests were performed one-two days after the injection in order to detect the onset of sub-maximal BoNT-A activity. Both tests were preceded by the DAS test. BoNT-A produced dose-related reductions in both the weight-bearing and surface-bearing outcomes of up to 60% while showing moderate activity in the DAS. BoNT-A effects in the DWB test were well-aligned with those in the CMAP test, which showed dose-dependent reductions in CMAP amplitude and the area under the curve (AUC; up to 100%) as well as increases in latency (up to 130%). The efficacy of BoNT-A in DWB and CMAP was more pronounced with two boluses. Thus, the DWB test can be used to assess the properties of BoNTs following i.m. administration. It can be used to assess the candidate therapies and is more ethical than the mouse lethality assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Cornet
- Ipsen Innovation, 5 Avenue du Canada, 91940, Les Ulis, France
| | - Cindy Périer
- Ipsen Innovation, 5 Avenue du Canada, 91940, Les Ulis, France
| | - Stéphanie Wagner
- Neurofit SAS, 850 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, Bioparc 1, Parc d'Innovation, 67400, Illkirch, France
| | - Emile Andriambeloson
- Neurofit SAS, 850 Boulevard Sébastien Brant, Bioparc 1, Parc d'Innovation, 67400, Illkirch, France
| | - Bruno Pouzet
- BeVivo GmbH, Christoph Merian-Ring 11, 4153, Reinach (BL), Switzerland
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13
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Heinzel JC, Hercher D, Redl H. The course of recovery of locomotor function over a 10-week observation period in a rat model of femoral nerve resection and autograft repair. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01580. [PMID: 32097542 PMCID: PMC7177579 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A great extent of knowledge on peripheral nerve regeneration has been gathered using the rat sciatic nerve model. The femoral nerve model of the rat offers an interesting alternative, as it lacks disadvantageous features such as automutilation. For the analysis of locomotor behavior in rats after sciatic nerve injury, the CatWalk™ XT Gait Analysis System is often used. However, lesions of the femoral nerve in the rat have yet remained unstudied with this method. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ten male Sprague Dawley rats were evaluated with the CatWalk XT to study their gait after a 6-mm resection of the right femoral nerve and reconstruction with an autologous nerve graft. Animals were observed for 10 weeks after surgery. RESULTS Print Area, Print Length, Swing Speed, and Duty Cycle decreased to a minimum of 40% of baseline 2 weeks after surgery. Swing Time was elevated more than twofold at this time point. However, all these parameters recovered back to >90% of baseline values at 10 weeks after surgery. This degree of functional recovery has not been reported after sciatic nerve resection and autograft repair. Base of support varied minimally postoperatively in contrast to a strong decrement after sciatic nerve resection and repair. CONCLUSION We hereby provide a comprehensive in-depth analysis of how to study functional recovery after injury of the femoral nerve in the rat via the CatWalk XT. We place special emphasis on highlighting the differences between the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve injury model in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Christoph Heinzel
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology in the AUVA Trauma Research Center, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Hercher
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology in the AUVA Trauma Research Center, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Redl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology in the AUVA Trauma Research Center, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
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14
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Jasminka Rešić Karara, Kowalski M, Markotić A, Zemunik T, Čulić VČ. Distinct Cerebellar Glycosphingolipid Phenotypes in Wistar and Lewis Rats. NEUROCHEM J+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1819712420010122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Steiner R, Dhar M, Stephenson SM, Newby S, Bow A, Pedersen A, Anderson DE. Biometric Data Comparison Between Lewis and Sprague Dawley Rats. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:469. [PMID: 31921924 PMCID: PMC6932974 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Pressure mapping systems are often used for indirect assessment of kinematic gait parameter differences after repair of critical peripheral nerve defects in small animal models. However, there does not appear to be any literature that studies the differences in normal gait pattern of Sprague Dawley rats compared to Lewis rats using a Tekscan VH4 pressure mat system. The purpose of this study is to assess the gait profile of Lewis and Sprague Dawley rats generated by Tekscan's VH4 system to detect similarities and/or differences in gait parameters involving both force and temporal variables. Materials and Methods: The gait profile of 14 Lewis and 14 Sprague Dawley rats was recorded using a Tekscan VH4 pressure map system with two successful walks per animal and gait parameter data was normalized for mean variance between the two rodent strains. Results: The results showed that temporal and normalized force parameters were not significantly different between the two types of rats. Maximum force, contact area, stride length, and adjusted pressure variables were significantly different between the two strains, likely attributed to the body size and weight differential between the strains. Variation in some of these parameters were considered due to differences in overall body size between the two strains, variations in gait kinematics between individual rodent subjects, and the limitations of the current experimental design. Conclusion: For future in vivo models, either Sprague Dawley or Lewis rat strains would be acceptable animal models when comparing base-line gait profiles using the Tekscan VH4 pressure map system when assessing critical defect repairs of peripheral nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Steiner
- Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Madhu Dhar
- Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Stacy M Stephenson
- Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Steven Newby
- Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Austin Bow
- Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Alisha Pedersen
- Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - David E Anderson
- Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
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16
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Timotius IK, Moceri S, Plank AC, Habermeyer J, Canneva F, Winkler J, Klucken J, Casadei N, Riess O, Eskofier B, von Hörsten S. Silhouette-Length-Scaled Gait Parameters for Motor Functional Analysis in Mice and Rats. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0100-19.2019. [PMID: 31604813 PMCID: PMC6825954 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0100-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gait analysis of transgenic mice and rats modeling human diseases often suffers from the condition that those models exhibit genotype-driven differences in body size, weight, and length. Thus, we hypothesized that scaling by the silhouette length improves the reliability of gait analysis allowing normalization for individual body size differences. Here, we computed video-derived silhouette length and area parameters from a standard markerless gait analysis system using image-processing techniques. By using length- and area-derived data along with body weight and age, we systematically scaled individual gait parameters. We compared these different scaling approaches and report here that normalization for silhouette length improves the validity and reliability of gait analysis in general. The application of this silhouette length scaling to transgenic Huntington disease mice and Parkinson´s disease rats identifies the remaining differences reflecting more reliable, body length-independent motor functional differences. Overall, this emphasizes the need for silhouette-length-based intra-assay scaling as an improved standard approach in rodent gait analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna K Timotius
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91052 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- Department of Electronics Engineering, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga 50711, Indonesia
| | - Sandra Moceri
- Department Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Anne-Christine Plank
- Department Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Habermeyer
- Department Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Fabio Canneva
- Department Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Klucken
- Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bjoern Eskofier
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91052 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Department Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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17
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Richards TM, Sharma P, Kuang A, Whitty D, Ahmed Z, Shah PK. Novel Speed-Controlled Automated Ladder Walking Device Reveals Walking Speed as a Critical Determinant of Skilled Locomotion after a Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:2698-2721. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M. Richards
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Pawan Sharma
- Department of Physical Therapy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Aaron Kuang
- Department of Physical Therapy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Douglas Whitty
- Department of Physical Therapy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Zaghloul Ahmed
- Department of Physical Therapy, Center for Developmental Neuroscience, The College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York
- Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Prithvi K. Shah
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
- Department of Physical Therapy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
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18
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Timotius IK, Canneva F, Minakaki G, Moceri S, Plank AC, Casadei N, Riess O, Winkler J, Klucken J, Eskofier B, von Hörsten S. Systematic data analysis and data mining in CatWalk gait analysis by heat mapping exemplified in rodent models for neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 326:108367. [PMID: 31351096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor impairment appears as a characteristic symptom of several diseases and injuries. Therefore, tests for analyzing motor dysfunction are widely applied across preclinical models and disease stages. Among those, gait analysis tests are commonly used, but they generate a huge number of gait parameters. Thus, complications in data analysis and reporting raise, which often leads to premature parameter selection. NEW METHODS In order to avoid arbitrary parameter selection, we present here a systematic initial data analysis by utilizing heat-maps for data reporting. We exemplified this approach within an intervention study, as well as applied it to two longitudinal studies in rodent models related to Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington disease (HD). RESULTS The systematic initial data analysis (IDA) is feasible for exploring gait parameters, both in experimental and longitudinal studies. The resulting heat maps provided a visualization of gait parameters within a single chart, highlighting important clusters of differences. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD Often, premature parameter selection is practiced, lacking comprehensiveness. Researchers often use multiple separated graphs on distinct gait parameters for reporting. Additionally, negative results are often not reported. CONCLUSIONS Heat mapping utilized in initial data analysis is advantageous for reporting clustered gait parameter differences in one single chart and improves data mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna K Timotius
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Dept. of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany; Dept. of Electronics Engineering, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Indonesia
| | - Fabio Canneva
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Georgia Minakaki
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Sandra Moceri
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Anne-Christine Plank
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Nicolas Casadei
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Winkler
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Jochen Klucken
- Dept. of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Bjoern Eskofier
- Machine Learning and Data Analytics Lab, Dept. of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Dept. Experimental Therapy, University Hospital Erlangen (UKEr) and Preclinical Experimental Animal Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany.
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19
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Moritz MS, Tepp WH, Inzalaco HN, Johnson EA, Pellett S. Comparative functional analysis of mice after local injection with botulinum neurotoxin A1, A2, A6, and B1 by catwalk analysis. Toxicon 2019; 167:20-28. [PMID: 31181297 PMCID: PMC6688953 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are potent neurotoxins and are the causative agent of botulism, as well as valuable pharmaceuticals. BoNTs are divided into seven serotypes that comprise over 40 reported subtypes. BoNT/A1 and BoNT/B1 are currently the only subtypes approved for pharmaceutical use in the USA. While several other BoNT subtypes including BoNT/A2 and/A6 have been proposed as promising pharmaceuticals, detailed characterization using in vivo assays are essential to determine their pharmaceutical characteristics compared to the currently used BoNT/A1 and/B1. Several methods for studying BoNTs in mice are being used, but no objective and quantitative assay for assessment of functional outcomes after injection has been described. Here we describe the use of CatWalk XT as a new analytical tool for the objective and quantitative analysis of the paralytic effect after local intramuscular injection of BoNT subtypes A1, A2, A6, and B1. Catwalk is a sophisticated gait and locomotion analysis system that quantitatively analyzes a rodent's paw print dimensions and footfall patterns while traversing a glass plate during unforced walk. Significant changes were observed in several gait parameters in mice after local intramuscular injection of all tested BoNT subtypes, however, no changes were observed in mice injected intraperitoneally with the same BoNTs. While a clear difference in time to peak paralysis was observed between BoNT/A1 and/B1, injection of all four toxins resulted in a deficit in the injected limb with the other limbs functionally compensating and with no qualitative differences between the four BoNT subtypes. The presented data demonstrate the utility of CatWalk as a tool for functional outcomes after local BoNT injection through its ability to collect large amounts of quantitative data and objectively analyze sensitive changes in static and dynamic gait parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly S Moritz
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Bacteriology, USA
| | - William H Tepp
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Bacteriology, USA
| | | | - Eric A Johnson
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Bacteriology, USA
| | - Sabine Pellett
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Bacteriology, USA.
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20
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Hercher D, Kerbl M, Schuh CMAP, Heinzel J, Gal L, Stainer M, Schmidhammer R, Hausner T, Redl H, Nógrádi A, Hacobian A. Spatiotemporal Differences in Gene Expression Between Motor and Sensory Autografts and Their Effect on Femoral Nerve Regeneration in the Rat. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:182. [PMID: 31139050 PMCID: PMC6519304 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the outcome after autologous nerve grafting in the clinic, it is important to understand the limiting variables such as distinct phenotypes of motor and sensory Schwann cells. This study investigated the properties of phenotypically different autografts in a 6 mm femoral nerve defect model in the rat, where the respective femoral branches distally of the inguinal bifurcation served as homotopic, or heterotopic autografts. Axonal regeneration and target reinnervation was analyzed by gait analysis, electrophysiology, and wet muscle mass analysis. We evaluated regeneration-associated gene expression between 5 days and 10 weeks after repair, in the autografts as well as the proximal, and distal segments of the femoral nerve using qRT-PCR. Furthermore we investigated expression patterns of phenotypically pure ventral and dorsal roots. We identified highly significant differences in gene expression of a variety of regeneration-associated genes along the central – peripheral axis in healthy femoral nerves. Phenotypically mismatched grafting resulted in altered spatiotemporal expression of neurotrophic factor BDNF, GDNF receptor GFRα1, cell adhesion molecules Cadm3, Cadm4, L1CAM, and proliferation associated Ki67. Although significantly higher quadriceps muscle mass following homotopic nerve grafting was measured, we did not observe differences in gait analysis, and electrophysiological parameters between treatment paradigms. Our study provides evidence for phenotypic commitment of autologous nerve grafts after injury and gives a conclusive overview of temporal expression of several important regeneration-associated genes after repair with sensory or motor graft.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hercher
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Kerbl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina M A P Schuh
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.,Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Johannes Heinzel
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - László Gal
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Michaela Stainer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Schmidhammer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Hausner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinz Redl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Antal Nógrádi
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ara Hacobian
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
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21
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Dupleichs M, Masson M, Gauthier O, Dutilleul M, Bouler JM, Verron E, Janvier P. Pain Management After Bone Reconstruction Surgery Using an Analgesic Bone Cement: A Functional Noninvasive In Vivo Study Using Gait Analysis. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2018; 19:1169-1180. [PMID: 29772271 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Postoperative pain after bone reconstruction is a serious complication that could jeopardize the global success of a surgery. This pain must be controlled and minimized during the first 3 to 4 postoperative days to prevent it from becoming chronic. In this study, a critical-size bone defect was created at the femoral distal end of rats and filled by an injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) loaded or not with local anesthetics (bupivacaine or ropivacaine). A functional evaluation of the gait was performed using the CatWalk system to compare the postoperative pain relief enhanced by the different CPCs after such a bone filling surgery. The results demonstrated significant pain relief during the short-term postoperative period, as shown by the print area and intensity parameters of the operated paw. At 24hours, the print area decreased by 65%, 42%, and 24%, and the intensity decreased by 25%, 9%, and 1% for unloaded, ropivacaine-loaded, and bupivacaine-loaded CPCs, respectively, compared with the preoperative values. Bupivacaine-loaded CPC provided an earlier return to full functional recovery than ropivacaine-loaded CPC. Moreover, the CPCs retained their biologic and mechanical properties. For all these reasons, anesthetic-loaded CPCs could be part of the global pain management protocol after bone reconstruction surgery such as iliac crest bone grafting procedures. PERSPECTIVE Bupivacaine-loaded CPC provided an earlier return to full gait function than ropivacaine-loaded CPC, with preserved bone filling properties. Such analgesic CPCs deserve further in vivo investigation and may be part of the global pain management protocol after bone reconstruction or bone augmentation surgery such as iliac crest bone grafting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dupleichs
- CEISAM, CNRS UMR 6230, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; RMeS-lab, INSERM UMR 1229, University of Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Martial Masson
- RMeS-lab, INSERM UMR 1229, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; INSERM, UMS 016, CNRS 3556, Structure Fédérative de Recherche François Bonamy, SC3M facility, CHU Nantes, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France; Université de Nantes, UFR Odontologie, Nantes, F-44042, France
| | - Olivier Gauthier
- RMeS-lab, INSERM UMR 1229, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; ONIRIS, Nantes Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
| | - Maeva Dutilleul
- RMeS-lab, INSERM UMR 1229, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; INSERM, UMS 016, CNRS 3556, Structure Fédérative de Recherche François Bonamy, SC3M facility, CHU Nantes, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France; Université de Nantes, UFR Odontologie, Nantes, F-44042, France
| | | | - Elise Verron
- CEISAM, CNRS UMR 6230, University of Nantes, Nantes, France; RMeS-lab, INSERM UMR 1229, University of Nantes, Nantes, France.
| | - Pascal Janvier
- CEISAM, CNRS UMR 6230, University of Nantes, Nantes, France
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Cucarián JD, León LA, Luna GA, Torres MR, Corredor K, Cardenas P. F. CARACTERIZACIÓN TEMPORO-ESPACIAL DEL PATRÓN DE MARCHA EN ROEDORES COMO MODELO ANIMAL DE LESIÓN CEREBRAL CEREBROVASCULAR. ACTA BIOLÓGICA COLOMBIANA 2017. [DOI: 10.15446/abc.v22n3.65244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
En la investigación sobre movimiento, la experimentación animal ha proporcionado fundamentación científica para la investigación clínica, mejorando procedimientos diagnósticos y de rehabilitación. Lesiones cerebrales en roedores pueden ser usadas para modelar síntomas locomotores, sensoriales y/o cognitivos. Con el propósito de determinar la funcionalidad locomotriz y sensorial en roedores, se han propuesto varios métodos de evaluación y pronóstico clínico para identificar y evaluar adaptaciones estructurales y mecanismos de neuro-recuperación. Esto ha permitido que métodos de intervención terapéutica, como el ejercicio físico, sean utilizados para restaurar funciones sensitivo-motoras y cognitivas en roedores y humanos. La extrapolación (translación) de los resultados de investigaciones en ciencias básicas a áreas clínicas supone la continua cooperación y retroalimentación entre investigadores y profesionales de la salud, favoreciendo la formulación de intervenciones terapéuticas más eficaces basadas en resultados obtenidos de la experimentación animal. El objetivo de esta revisión es exponer las principales deficiencias motoras y los métodos empleados para determinar la dificultad motriz en la marcha en roedores con lesión cerebrovascular, para lo cual se realizó una revisión de literatura, sobre términos definidos (MeSH), en las bases de datos PsychINFO, Medline y Web of Science, entre enero de 2000 y enero de 2017. Se excluyeron artículos de carácter cualitativo o narrativo, sin revisión por pares, disertaciones, tesis o trabajos de grado y resúmenes de conferencias. Se revisan algunas manifestaciones clínicas, su efecto en la locomotricidad en roedores, algunas metodologías usadas para generar lesiones y para estudiar la función motriz, los principales métodos de medición y algunos aspectos translacionales.
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Benammi H, Erazi H, El Hiba O, Vinay L, Bras H, Viemari JC, Gamrani H. Disturbed sensorimotor and electrophysiological patterns in lead intoxicated rats during development are restored by curcumin I. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172715. [PMID: 28267745 PMCID: PMC5340392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lead poisoning is one of the most significant health problem of environmental origin. It is known to cause different damages in the central and peripheral nervous system which could be represented by several neurophysiological and behavioral symptoms. In this study we firstly investigated the effect of lead prenatal exposure in rats to (3g/L), from neonatal to young age, on the motor/sensory performances, excitability of the spinal cord and gaits during development. Then we evaluated neuroprotective effects of curcumin I (Cur I) against lead neurotoxicity, by means of grasping and cliff avoidance tests to reveal the impairment of the sensorimotor functions in neonatal rats exposed prenatally to lead. In addition, extracellular recordings of motor output in spinal cord revealed an hyper-excitability of spinal networks in lead treated rats. The frequency of induced fictive locomotion was also increased in treated rats. At the young age, rats exhibited an impaired locomotor gait. All those abnormalities were attenuated by Cur I treatment at a dose of 16g/kg. Based on our finding, Cur I has shown features of a potent chemical compound able to restore the neuronal and the relative locomotor behaviors disturbances induced by lead intoxication. Therefore, this chemical can be recommended as a new therapeutic trial against lead induced neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Benammi
- Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Environment Team, faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Hasna Erazi
- Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Environment Team, faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Omar El Hiba
- Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Environment Team, faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
- Department of Biology, faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, EL Jadida, Morocco
| | - Laurent Vinay
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7289, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Hélène Bras
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7289, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Charles Viemari
- Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7289, CNRS, Université Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
- * E-mail: (HG); (JCV)
| | - Halima Gamrani
- Neuroscience, Pharmacology and Environment Team, faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
- * E-mail: (HG); (JCV)
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Blaško J, Szekiova E, Slovinska L, Kafka J, Cizkova D. Axonal outgrowth stimulation after alginate/mesenchymal stem cell therapy in injured rat spinal cord. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2017. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2017-066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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25
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Ganguly A, McEwen C, Troy EL, Colburn RW, Caggiano AO, Schallert TJ, Parry TJ. Recovery of sensorimotor function following sciatic nerve injury across multiple rat strains. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 275:25-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Herold S, Kumar P, Jung K, Graf I, Menkhoff H, Schulz X, Bähr M, Hein K. CatWalk gait analysis in a rat model of multiple sclerosis. BMC Neurosci 2016; 17:78. [PMID: 27903258 PMCID: PMC5131412 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0317-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely used animal model for multiple sclerosis. The characteristic feature of the MOG-EAE model in Brown Norway rats is consistent involvement of the spinal cord resulting in limb paresis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether early subclinical gait abnormalities are present in this animal model and can be detected by CatWalk XT, a fully automated gait analysis system. Furthermore, we investigated the usability of CatWalk system for treatment studies. Results Our gait analysis showed no preclinical abnormalities in MOG-EAE animals. Nevertheless, we characterized a combination of gait parameters that display a high predictive capacity in regard to disease onset. Our detailed histopathological analysis of the spinal cord revealed that lesion formation starts in the lumbar region and propagates toward the cervical part of the spinal cord during the disease course. In the treatment study, the stabilization of gait parameters under the treatment with methylprednisolone was detected in CatWalk as well as in traditional EAE-scoring system. Conclusions The results from CatWalk test indicate no benefit of lab-intensive automated gait system in EAE-model with chronic-progressive disease course as well as in therapeutic studies with pronounced effect on the severity of clinical symptoms. However, due to its quantitative and objective nature this system may display a refined test to detect small but functional relevant changes in regeneration-orientated studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Herold
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Prateek Kumar
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Jung
- Department of Medical Biometry and Statistical Bioinformatics, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Irina Graf
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henrike Menkhoff
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Xenia Schulz
- Department of Medical Biometry and Statistical Bioinformatics, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mathias Bähr
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Hein
- Department of Neurology, University Medicine Göttingen, Robert-Koch Straße 40, 37073, Göttingen, Germany. .,Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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Kyriakou EI, van der Kieft JG, de Heer RC, Spink A, Nguyen HP, Homberg JR, van der Harst JE. Automated quantitative analysis to assess motor function in different rat models of impaired coordination and ataxia. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 268:171-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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28
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Wang H, Liu J, Gao G, Wu X, Wang X, Yang H. Protection effect of piperine and piperlonguminine from Piper longum L. alkaloids against rotenone-induced neuronal injury. Brain Res 2016; 1639:214-27. [PMID: 26232071 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Revised: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Currently available treatment approaches for Parkinson׳s disease (PD) are limited in terms of variety and efficacy. Piper longum L. (PLL; Piperaceae) is used in traditional medicine in Asia and the Pacific Islands, with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in preclinical studies, and alkaloid extracts of PLL have shown protective effects in PD models. The present study investigated the mechanistic basis for the observed protective effects of PLL. Rats treated with PLL-derived alkaloids showed improvement in rotenone-induced motor deficits, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was decreased, mitochondrial membrane potential was stabilized, and the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP)-which is involved in ROS production-was inhibited. In addition, rotenone-induced apoptosis was abrogated in the presence of these alkaloids, while a pretreatment stimulated autophagy, likely mitigating neuronal injury by the removal of damaged mitochondria. These findings provide novel insight into the neuroprotective function of PLL as well as evidence in favor of its use in PD treatment. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Center of Parkinson׳s Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Neurobiology Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Center of Parkinson׳s Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Neurobiology Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Center of Parkinson׳s Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Neurobiology Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Center of Parkinson׳s Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Neurobiology Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Center of Parkinson׳s Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Neurobiology Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Center of Parkinson׳s Disease Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Disease of the Ministry of Education, Department of Neurobiology Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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Domin H, Przykaza Ł, Jantas D, Kozniewska E, Boguszewski PM, Śmiałowska M. Neuroprotective potential of the group III mGlu receptor agonist ACPT-I in animal models of ischemic stroke: In vitro and in vivo studies. Neuropharmacology 2016; 102:276-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 11/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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30
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Leszczyńska AN, Majczyński H, Wilczyński GM, Sławińska U, Cabaj AM. Thoracic Hemisection in Rats Results in Initial Recovery Followed by a Late Decrement in Locomotor Movements, with Changes in Coordination Correlated with Serotonergic Innervation of the Ventral Horn. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143602. [PMID: 26606275 PMCID: PMC4659566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral thoracic hemisection of the rodent spinal cord is a popular model of spinal cord injury, in which the effects of various treatments, designed to encourage locomotor recovery, are tested. Nevertheless, there are still inconsistencies in the literature concerning the details of spontaneous locomotor recovery after such lesions, and there is a lack of data concerning the quality of locomotion over a long time span after the lesion. In this study, we aimed to address some of these issues. In our experiments, locomotor recovery was assessed using EMG and CatWalk recordings and analysis. Our results showed that after hemisection there was paralysis in both hindlimbs, followed by a substantial recovery of locomotor movements, but even at the peak of recovery, which occurred about 4 weeks after the lesion, some deficits of locomotion remained present. The parameters that were abnormal included abduction, interlimb coordination and speed of locomotion. Locomotor performance was stable for several weeks, but about 3-4 months after hemisection secondary locomotor impairment was observed with changes in parameters, such as speed of locomotion, interlimb coordination, base of hindlimb support, hindlimb abduction and relative foot print distance. Histological analysis of serotonergic innervation at the lumbar ventral horn below hemisection revealed a limited restoration of serotonergic fibers on the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord, while on the contralateral side of the spinal cord it returned to normal. In addition, the length of these fibers on both sides of the spinal cord correlated with inter- and intralimb coordination. In contrast to data reported in the literature, our results show there is not full locomotor recovery after spinal cord hemisection. Secondary deterioration of certain locomotor functions occurs with time in hemisected rats, and locomotor recovery appears partly associated with reinnervation of spinal circuitry by serotonergic fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Anna M Cabaj
- Nencki Insitute of Experimental Biology, PAS, Warsaw, Poland.,Nałęcz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, PAS, Warsaw, Poland
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31
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Machado AS, Darmohray DM, Fayad J, Marques HG, Carey MR. A quantitative framework for whole-body coordination reveals specific deficits in freely walking ataxic mice. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 26433022 PMCID: PMC4630674 DOI: 10.7554/elife.07892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The coordination of movement across the body is a fundamental, yet poorly understood aspect of motor control. Mutant mice with cerebellar circuit defects exhibit characteristic impairments in locomotor coordination; however, the fundamental features of this gait ataxia have not been effectively isolated. Here we describe a novel system (LocoMouse) for analyzing limb, head, and tail kinematics of freely walking mice. Analysis of visibly ataxic Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mice reveals that while differences in the forward motion of individual paws are fully accounted for by changes in walking speed and body size, more complex 3D trajectories and, especially, inter-limb and whole-body coordination are specifically impaired. Moreover, the coordination deficits in pcd are consistent with a failure to predict and compensate for the consequences of movement across the body. These results isolate specific impairments in whole-body coordination in mice and provide a quantitative framework for understanding cerebellar contributions to coordinated locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana S Machado
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dana M Darmohray
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Fayad
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hugo G Marques
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Megan R Carey
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
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32
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Neckel ND. Methods to quantify the velocity dependence of common gait measurements from automated rodent gait analysis devices. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 253:244-53. [PMID: 26129742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Walking slowly is a different biomechanical task than walking quickly, thus measures of gait will be different at different velocities, such as pre/post injury. It is necessary to determine if the difference in gait measures are from the experimental changes, or simply from traveling at different speeds. NEW METHOD Instead of limiting this effect, we have developed techniques to embrace the velocity dependence of gait measures. By translating the pawprints into a body coordinate frame we are able to measure location of paw placement in addition to the standard gait measures. RESULTS At higher velocities rats have greater consistency of steps, place their forelimb initial contact more medially and anteriorly, and place their hindlimb toe off more medially and posteriorly. Interlimb phasing also becomes more consistent at higher velocities. Following a cervical spinal cord injury consistency is reduced and the velocity dependent behaviors are significantly different. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD Translating the coordinate frame improves the ability to measure changes in base of support following spinal cord injury. Employing a treadmill, or limiting analysis to a narrow velocity window does address the effects of velocity. We feel that measuring across all velocities is more appropriate than dictating that the animals match speeds. CONCLUSIONS Quantifying locomotion with automated gait analysis devices is a great way to evaluate the changes that experimental treatments provide. These new methods allow for a more appropriate way to address the confound of many gait measures being velocity dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Neckel
- Department of Neuroscience, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Georgetown University, 3970 Reservoir Rd NW, Rm EP20 - NRB, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
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Batka RJ, Brown TJ, Mcmillan KP, Meadows RM, Jones KJ, Haulcomb MM. The need for speed in rodent locomotion analyses. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2014; 297:1839-64. [PMID: 24890845 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Locomotion analysis is now widely used across many animal species to understand the motor defects in disease, functional recovery following neural injury, and the effectiveness of various treatments. More recently, rodent locomotion analysis has become an increasingly popular method in a diverse range of research. Speed is an inseparable aspect of locomotion that is still not fully understood, and its effects are often not properly incorporated while analyzing data. In this hybrid manuscript, we accomplish three things: (1) review the interaction between speed and locomotion variables in rodent studies, (2) comprehensively analyze the relationship between speed and 162 locomotion variables in a group of 16 wild-type mice using the CatWalk gait analysis system, and (3) develop and test a statistical method in which locomotion variables are analyzed and reported in the context of speed. Notable results include the following: (1) over 90% of variables, reported by CatWalk, were dependent on speed with an average R(2) value of 0.624, (2) most variables were related to speed in a nonlinear manner, (3) current methods of controlling for speed are insufficient, and (4) the linear mixed model is an appropriate and effective statistical method for locomotion analyses that is inclusive of speed-dependent relationships. Given the pervasive dependency of locomotion variables on speed, we maintain that valid conclusions from locomotion analyses cannot be made unless they are analyzed and reported within the context of speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Batka
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS 5025 C, Indianapolis, Indiana; R & D Services Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W. 10th Street, Mail Code 151, Rm C-3074, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Deumens R, Marinangeli C, Bozkurt A, Brook GA. Assessing motor outcome and functional recovery following nerve injury. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1162:179-88. [PMID: 24838968 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0777-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral tests significantly contribute to our understanding of nerve function after experimental lesions and/or therapeutic intervention. In particular, the rat sciatic nerve has proven to be a valuable animal model to study nerve injury and repair. Here, we describe how to optimally use the commercially available CatWalk system to obtain a detailed and objective analysis of dynamic and static gait parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Deumens
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain (U.C.L.), Brussels, Belgium,
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35
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Streijger F, Beernink TMJ, Lee JHT, Bhatnagar T, Park S, Kwon BK, Tetzlaff W. Characterization of a cervical spinal cord hemicontusion injury in mice using the infinite horizon impactor. J Neurotrauma 2013; 30:869-83. [PMID: 23360150 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2012.2405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of clinical spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are contusive and occur at the cervical level of the spinal cord. Most scientists and clinicians agree that the preclinical evaluation of novel candidate treatments should include testing in a cervical SCI contusion model. Because mice are increasingly used because of the availability of genetically engineered lines, we characterized a novel cervical hemicontusion injury in mice using the Infinite Horizon Spinal Cord Impactor (Precisions Systems & Instrumentation, Lexington, KY). In the current study, C57BL/6 mice received a hemicontusion injury of 75 kilodynes with or without dwell time in an attempt to elicit a sustained moderate-to-severe motor deficit. Hemicontusion injuries without dwell time resulted in sustained deficits of the affected forepaw, as revealed by a 3-fold decrease in usage during rearing, a ∼50% reduction in grooming scores, and retrieval of significantly fewer pellets on the Montoya staircase test. Only minor transient deficits were observed in grasping force. CatWalk analysis revealed reduced paw-print size and swing speed of the affected forelimb. Added dwell time of 15 or 30 sec significantly worsened behavioral outcome, and mice demonstrated minimal ability of grasping, paw usage, and overground locomotion. Besides worsening of behavioral deficits, added dwell time also reduced residual white and gray matter at the epicenter and rostral-caudal to the injury, including on the contralateral side of the spinal cord. Taken together, we developed and characterized a new hemicontusion SCI model in mice that produces sufficient and sustained impairments in gross and skilled forelimb function and produced primarily unilateral functional deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke Streijger
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries-ICORD, Blusson Spinal Cord Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Prenatal exposure to fenugreek impairs sensorimotor development and the operation of spinal cord networks in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80013. [PMID: 24224030 PMCID: PMC3818278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fenugreek is a medicinal plant whose seeds are widely used in traditional medicine, mainly for its laxative, galactagogue and antidiabetic effects. However, consumption of fenugreek seeds during pregnancy has been associated with a range of congenital malformations, including hydrocephalus, anencephaly and spina bifida in humans. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of prenatal treatment of fenugreek seeds on the development of sensorimotor functions from birth to young adults. Pregnant mice were treated by gavage with 1g/kg/day of lyophilized fenugreek seeds aqueous extract (FSAE) or distilled water during the gestational period. Behavioral tests revealed in prenatally treated mice a significant delay in righting, cliff avoidance, negative geotaxis responses and the swimming development. In addition, extracellular recording of motor output in spinal cord isolated from neonatal mice showed that the frequency of spontaneous activity and fictive locomotion was reduced in FSAE-exposed mice. On the other hand, the cross-correlation coefficient in control mice was significantly more negative than in treated animals indicating that alternating patterns are deteriorated in FSAE-treated animals. At advanced age, prenatally treated mice displayed altered locomotor coordination in the rotarod test and also changes in static and dynamic parameters assessed by the CatWalk automated gait analysis system. We conclude that FSAE impairs sensorimotor and coordination functions not only in neonates but also in adult mice. Moreover, spinal neuronal networks are less excitable in prenatally FSAE-exposed mice suggesting that modifications within the central nervous system are responsible, at least in part, for the motor impairments.
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Huehnchen P, Boehmerle W, Endres M. Assessment of paclitaxel induced sensory polyneuropathy with "Catwalk" automated gait analysis in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76772. [PMID: 24143194 PMCID: PMC3797113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropathic pain as a symptom of sensory nerve damage is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy. The most common behavioral observation in animal models of chemotherapy induced polyneuropathy is the development of mechanical allodynia, which is quantified with von Frey filaments. The data from one study, however, cannot be easily compared with other studies owing to influences of environmental factors, inter-rater variability and differences in test paradigms. To overcome these limitations, automated quantitative gait analysis was proposed as an alternative, but its usefulness for assessing animals suffering from polyneuropathy has remained unclear. In the present study, we used a novel mouse model of paclitaxel induced polyneuropathy to compare results from electrophysiology and the von Frey method to gait alterations measured with the Catwalk test. To mimic recently improved clinical treatment strategies of gynecological malignancies, we established a mouse model of dose-dense paclitaxel therapy on the common C57Bl/6 background. In this model paclitaxel treated animals developed mechanical allodynia as well as reduced caudal sensory nerve action potential amplitudes indicative of a sensory polyneuropathy. Gait analysis with the Catwalk method detected distinct alterations of gait parameters in animals suffering from sensory neuropathy, revealing a minimized contact of the hind paws with the floor. Treatment of mechanical allodynia with gabapentin improved altered dynamic gait parameters. This study establishes a novel mouse model for investigating the side effects of dose-dense paclitaxel therapy and underlines the usefulness of automated gait analysis as an additional easy-to-use objective test for evaluating painful sensory polyneuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Huehnchen
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Boehmerle
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Matthias Endres
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence NeuroCure, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Liu Y, Ao LJ, Lu G, Leong E, Liu Q, Wang XH, Zhu XL, Sun TFD, Fei Z, Jiu T, Hu X, Poon WS. Quantitative gait analysis of long-term locomotion deficits in classical unilateral striatal intracerebral hemorrhage rat model. Behav Brain Res 2013; 257:166-77. [PMID: 24126041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Gait analysis is a systematic collection of quantitative information on bodily movements during locomotion. Gait analysis has been employed clinically in stroke patients for their rehabilitation planning. In animal studies, gait analysis has been employed for the assessment of their locomotive disturbances in ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease. The aims of the work reported here were to identify the gait parameters, collected from the computer-generated CatWalk System, that change after unilateral intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the acute stage and long term up to 56 days post-ICH. The results showed that with the collagenase-induced unilateral striatal lesion, the rats displayed a significant contralateral decrease in print and maximum contact area and paw intensity, a diagonal increase in the stance duration of the left front and right hind paws, a significant decrease in the stride length of all four limbs, and foot pattern instability as reflected by the base of support, support on styles, and cadence. These deficits, including those in print area, stance and pressure, were demonstrated throughout the long-term period following ICH. The correlations between the gait parameters, lesion volume and asymmetrical forelimb use were also reported in this paper. This work has provided a systematic description on gait parameters in the classical striatal ICH model, which might become an essential assessment tool in future studies of pathophysiology and the development of novel treatments for experimental unilateral intracerebral hemorrhage with gait deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Liu
- Rehabilitation Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Abada YSK, Nguyen HP, Schreiber R, Ellenbroek B. Assessment of motor function, sensory motor gating and recognition memory in a novel BACHD transgenic rat model for huntington disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e68584. [PMID: 23874679 PMCID: PMC3708912 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale Huntington disease (HD) is frequently first diagnosed by the appearance of motor symptoms; the diagnosis is subsequently confirmed by the presence of expanded CAG repeats (> 35) in the HUNTINGTIN (HTT) gene. A BACHD rat model for HD carrying the human full length mutated HTT with 97 CAG-CAA repeats has been established recently. Behavioral phenotyping of BACHD rats will help to determine the validity of this model and its potential use in preclinical drug discovery studies. Objectives The present study seeks to characterize the progressive emergence of motor, sensorimotor and cognitive deficits in BACHD rats. Materials and Methods Wild type and transgenic rats were tested from 1 till 12 months of age. Motor tests were selected to measure spontaneous locomotor activity (open field) and gait coordination. Sensorimotor gating was assessed in acoustic startle response paradigms and recognition memory was evaluated in an object recognition test. Results Transgenic rats showed hyperactivity at 1 month and hypoactivity starting at 4 months of age. Motor coordination imbalance in a Rotarod test was present at 2 months and gait abnormalities were seen in a Catwalk test at 12 months. Subtle sensorimotor changes were observed, whereas object recognition was unimpaired in BACHD rats up to 12 months of age. Conclusion The current BACHD rat model recapitulates certain symptoms from HD patients, especially the marked motor deficits. A subtle neuropsychological phenotype was found and further studies are needed to fully address the sensorimotor phenotype and the potential use of BACHD rats for drug discovery purposes.
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Gait impairment in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. Stroke Res Treat 2013; 2013:410972. [PMID: 23533959 PMCID: PMC3603709 DOI: 10.1155/2013/410972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of proper tests for gait evaluation following cerebral ischemia in rats has been limited. The automated, quantitative CatWalk system, which was initially designed to measure gait in models of spinal cord injury, neuropathic pain, and peripheral nerve injury, is said to be a useful tool for the study of motor impairment in stroke animals. Here we report our experiences of using CatWalk XT with rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), during their six-week followup. Large corticostriatal infarct was confirmed by MRI in all MCAO rats, which was associated with severe sensorimotor impairment. In contrast, the gait impairment was at most mild, which is consistent with seemingly normal locomotion of MCAO rats. Many of the gait parameters were affected by body weight, walking speed, and motivation despite the use of a goal box. In addition, MCAO rats showed bilateral compensation, which was developed to stabilize proper locomotion. All of these interferences may confound the data interpretation. Taken together, the translational applicability of CatWalk XT in evaluating motor impairment and treatment efficacy remains to be limited at least in rats with severe corticostriatal infarct and loss of body weight.
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Increased gait variability in mice with small cerebellar cortex lesions and normal rotarod performance. Behav Brain Res 2013; 241:32-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 11/24/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Neckel ND, Dai H, Bregman BS. Quantifying changes following spinal cord injury with velocity dependent locomotor measures. J Neurosci Methods 2013; 214:27-36. [PMID: 23333791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2013.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Neckel
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
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43
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Changes in forelimb-hindlimb coordination after partial spinal lesions of different extent in the rat. Behav Brain Res 2012; 239:121-38. [PMID: 23142611 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.10.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Forelimb-hindlimb coordination in adult rats moving freely along 2m long runway was investigated using the method of footprint recording. Rats were divided into 3 groups with different extent of spinal lesions (T(9)). Before surgery rats moved with a mean locomotor speed of 73±20 to 96±18cms(-1), stride lengths of 17.5±2.0 to 21.2±2.0cm, and trot like coordination. Early after surgery the locomotor speed and the stride lengths were decreased. The forelimb steps were shorter than hindlimb steps, which led to the occurrence of unpaired forelimb steps. Unpaired steps occurred when the hind paw print lay more than half the hindlimb stride length in front of the ipsilateral paw. The number of unpaired steps was negatively correlated with the difference between the fore- and hindlimb step lengths. The recovery of locomotor speed, stride length, and step sequence patterns took up to 3.5 months depending on the extent of lesion. In the last testings the coordination was characterized by increased distances between ipsilateral footprints leading to a change from an almost synchronized trot to a lesion-dependent walk. This change was accompanied by a switch from the use of both patterns A and C to the most frequent use of the Aa pattern that is better adapted to maintain the body balance. All locomotor changes depended on the extent of the injury of lateral and ventral funiculi. These results demonstrate that footprint analysis can be used for the evaluation of forelimb-hindlimb coordination after spinal lesion in rats.
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Ängeby Möller K, Kinert S, Størkson R, Berge OG. Gait analysis in rats with single joint inflammation: influence of experimental factors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46129. [PMID: 23071540 PMCID: PMC3465303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Disability and movement-related pain are major symptoms of joint disease, motivating the development of methods to quantify motor behaviour in rodent joint pain models. We used observational scoring and automated methods to compare weight bearing during locomotion and during standing after single joint inflammation induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (0.12–8.0 mg/mL) or carrageenan (0.47–30 mg/mL). Automated gait analysis was based on video capture of prints generated by light projected into the long edge of the floor of a walkway, producing an illuminated image of the contact area of each paw with light intensity reflecting the contact pressure. Weight bearing was calculated as an area-integrated paw pressure, that is, the light intensity of all pixels activated during the contact phase of a paw placement. Automated static weight bearing was measured with the Incapacitance tester. Pharmacological sensitivity of weight-bearing during locomotion was tested in carrageenan-induced monoarthritis by administration of the commonly used analgesics diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen, as well as oxycodone and paracetamol. Observational scoring and automated quantification yielded similar results. We found that the window between control rats and monoarthritic rats was greater during locomotion. The response was more pronounced for inflammation in the ankle as compared to the knee, suggesting a methodological advantage of using this injection site. The effects of both Freund's complete adjuvant and carrageenan were concentration related, but Freund's incomplete adjuvant was found to be as effective as lower, commonly used concentrations of the complete adjuvant. The results show that gait analysis can be an effective method to quantify behavioural effects of single joint inflammation in the rat, sensitive to analgesic treatment.
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Baiguera C, Alghisi M, Pinna A, Bellucci A, De Luca MA, Frau L, Morelli M, Ingrassia R, Benarese M, Porrini V, Pellitteri M, Bertini G, Fabene PF, Sigala S, Spillantini MG, Liou HC, Spano PF, Pizzi M. Late-onset Parkinsonism in NFκB/c-Rel-deficient mice. Brain 2012; 135:2750-65. [PMID: 22915735 PMCID: PMC3437025 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aws193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the nuclear factor κB/c-Rel can increase neuronal resilience to pathological noxae by regulating the expression of pro-survival manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD, now known as SOD2) and Bcl-xL genes. We show here that c-Rel-deficient (c-rel(-/-)) mice developed a Parkinson's disease-like neuropathology with ageing. At 18 months of age, c-rel(-/-) mice exhibited a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, as assessed by tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity and Nissl staining. Nigral degeneration was accompanied by a significant loss of dopaminergic terminals and a significant reduction of dopamine and homovanillic acid levels in the striatum. Mice deficient of the c-Rel factor exhibited a marked immunoreactivity for fibrillary α-synuclein in the substantia nigra pars compacta as well as increased expression of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and iron staining in both the substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum. Aged c-rel(-/-) mouse brain were characterized by increased microglial reactivity in the basal ganglia, but no astrocytic reaction. In addition, c-rel(-/-) mice showed age-dependent deficits in locomotor and total activity and various gait-related deficits during a catwalk analysis that were reminiscent of bradykinesia and muscle rigidity. Both locomotor and gait-related deficits recovered in c-rel(-/-) mice treated with l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. These data suggest that c-Rel may act as a regulator of the substantia nigra pars compacta resilience to ageing and that aged c-rel(-/-) mice may be a suitable model of Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Baiguera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Brescia and National Institute of Neuroscience, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Koopmans GC, Deumens R, Honig WM, Hamers FP, Mey J, van Kleef M, Joosten EA. Functional Recovery, Serotonergic Sprouting, and Endogenous Progenitor Fates in Response to Delayed Environmental Enrichment after Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2012; 29:514-27. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2011.1949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guido C. Koopmans
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Algiax Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Erkrath, Germany
| | - Ronald Deumens
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Neuropathology, RWTH Aachen University Medical Faculty, Aachen, Germany
- EURON Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wiel M.M. Honig
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jörg Mey
- Institute of Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo, Spain
- EURON Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten van Kleef
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elbert A. Joosten
- Department of Anesthesiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- EURON Graduate School of Neuroscience, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Kopecky B, Decook R, Fritzsch B. Mutational ataxia resulting from abnormal vestibular acquisition and processing is partially compensated for. Behav Neurosci 2012; 126:301-13. [PMID: 22309445 DOI: 10.1037/a0026896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Due to the multisensory input into the balance system, the loss of one input, such as an ear, can generally be compensated for. However, when a mismatch or incomplete loss of inputs occurs, the ability to compensate for the stimulus misrepresentation may be compromised. The inner ear and cerebellum are important input and processing centers for balance but no genetic models have been generated to assess balance or compensation in the abnormal development of both these organs/brain areas. Important to their formation is regulation of proliferation mediated by the proto-oncogene N-Myc. Conditional knockouts (CKOs) of N-Myc using Tg(Pax2-Cre) have a misshapen and smaller ear with a fused utricle, saccule, and cochlea and absent horizontal canal, aberrant cochlear and vestibular innervations, and a size reduction in the cerebellum. CKOs are viable with obvious behavioral deficits, including circling behavior and unstable gait. To test the degree of ataxia and possible compensation of vestibular defects in these mutant mice, we use the Noldus Catwalk System to assess the gait of Tg(Pax2-Cre) N-Myc CKOs over five months. N-Myc CKOs perform worse than control littermates, in particular, in step regularity. We show that disrupting one member of the Myc family during embryonic development coincides with a differential loss of function in the cochlea compared to the vestibular apparatus. In addition, we show that the distortion in the ear morphology combined with a reduction of the cerebellum, rather than a complete loss of the vestibular-cerebellar pathway, leads to partial behavioral compensation that remains unchanged over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kopecky
- Department of Biology and Carver College of Medicine, Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, USA.
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48
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Ledberg A, Robbe D. Locomotion-related oscillatory body movements at 6-12 Hz modulate the hippocampal theta rhythm. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27575. [PMID: 22102910 PMCID: PMC3216955 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2011] [Accepted: 10/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The hippocampal theta rhythm is required for accurate navigation and spatial memory but its relation to the dynamics of locomotion is poorly understood. We used miniature accelerometers to quantify with high temporal and spatial resolution the oscillatory movements associated with running in rats. Simultaneously, we recorded local field potentials in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. We report that when rats run their heads display prominent vertical oscillations with frequencies in the same range as the hippocampal theta rhythm (i.e., 6–12 Hz). In our behavioral set-up, rats run mainly with speeds between 50 and 100 cm/s. In this range of speeds, both the amplitude and frequency of the “theta” head oscillations were increasing functions of running speed, demonstrating that the head oscillations are part of the locomotion dynamics. We found evidence that these rhythmical locomotor dynamics interact with the neuronal activity in the hippocampus. The amplitude of the hippocampal theta rhythm depended on the relative phase shift with the head oscillations, being maximal when the two signals were in phase. Despite similarity in frequency, the head movements and LFP oscillations only displayed weak phase and frequency locking. Our results are consistent with that neurons in the CA1 region receive inputs that are phase locked to the head acceleration signal and that these inputs are integrated with the ongoing theta rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Ledberg
- Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (AL); (DR)
| | - David Robbe
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (AL); (DR)
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Schmidtg A, Fischer MS. The kinematic consequences of locomotion on sloped arboreal substrates in a generalized (Rattus norvegicus) and a specialized (Sciurus vulgaris) rodent. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 214:2544-59. [PMID: 21753049 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.051086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Small mammals must negotiate terrains that consist of numerous substrates that vary in diameter, surface structure, rigidity and orientation. Most studies on mammals have focused on the effects of substrate diameter during horizontal locomotion, especially in small- to medium-sized primates and marsupials. Locomotion across sloped arboreal substrates, however, is poorly understood. Here, in order to determine which locomotor parameters a terrestrial mammal, the rat, and a tree-dwelling mammal, the European red squirrel, modify in response to differences in substrate orientation, three-dimensional kinematics were examined using biplanar videoradiography as the animals moved on 30 and 60 deg inclined branches. Our results revealed that to maintain stability and friction as well as balance during inclined branch locomotion, these species utilize comparable locomotor adjustments despite significant differences in travel speed and gait. Rats and European red squirrels increased limb flexion and retraction in order to bring the center of mass as close as possible to the substrate surface and to achieve maximum propulsion. Additionally, forelimbs were placed more laterally and underneath the branch whereas the hindlimbs were placed approximately on the top of the branch. These locomotor adjustments, which have also been observed in primates and marsupials, are independent of speed, morphological adaptations and limb proportions and thus might be strategies used by early mammals. Our results also suggest that mammals that lack, or have reduced, grasping abilities try to maintain the locomotor mode used during horizontal branch locomotion on inclined branches for as long as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Schmidtg
- Ohio University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, 120 Life Sciences Building, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
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50
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Westin JE, Janssen MLF, Sager TN, Temel Y. Automated gait analysis in bilateral parkinsonian rats and the role of L-DOPA therapy. Behav Brain Res 2011; 226:519-28. [PMID: 22008381 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2011] [Revised: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Gait disturbances and postural instability represent major sources of morbidity in Parkinson's disease (PD), and respond poorly to current treatment options. Some aspects of gait disturbances can be observed in rodent models of PD; however, knowledge regarding the stability of rodent gait patterns over time is lacking. Here we investigated the temporal constancy and reproducibility of gait patterns in neurologically intact and bilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats, by using an automated quantitative gait analysis method (CatWalk). The bilateral neurotoxin injections into the medial forebrain bundle resulted in an average dopamine (DA) loss of 70% in each striata, which corresponds to the DA levels observed in moderate-mid stage human PD. Rats were tested weekly during one month, and we found that in intact rats all parameters investigated remained constant over multiple tests. The 6-OHDA lesioned rats were impaired in several aspects of gait, such as stride length, swing speed, stance duration, step cycle duration, and base of support. However the stance and step cycle deficits were transient, the performance of 6-OHDA lesioned rats were indistinguishable from control rats by the last test session with regard to these parameters. Finally, we found that administration of a single dose of levodopa (L-DOPA) to the 6-OHDA lesioned rats could counteract all but one observed deficits. Based on these findings we conclude that the gait pattern of intact rats is highly reproducible, 6-OHDA lesioned rats display impairments in gait, and L-DOPA can counteract most deficits seen in this model of experimental PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Westin
- Department of Neurodegeneration, H. Lundbeck A/S, Ottiliavej 9, 2500 Copenhagen-Valby, Denmark.
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