Set-down the cylinder at a quiet location with low-lighting.

Fix the video-camera onto a tripod with full view of both the cylinder and a mirror angled to allow viewing of the opposite side (optional step for experienced investigators).

Place the animal into the cylinder and record the forelimb usage over a period of up to 10 min, depending on the activity level needed to acquire at least 15 exploratory movements (more than 20 leads to habituation).

Ipsilateral (I): Forelimb on the same side to brain injury, used independently to either (a) contact cylinder wall during, a full rear, weight shifting movement, to regain center of gravity, or (b) for landing.

Contralateral (C): Forelimb on the opposite side to brain injury, used independently to either (a) contact cylinder wall during, a full rear, weight shifting movement, to regain center of gravity, or (b) for landing.

Bilateral (B): Both forelimbs used to either (a) contact cylinder wall during a full rear and during lateral movements along the wall, or (b) for landing.

Both paws need to be removed from vertical wall surface before another exploratory score may be given.

[(I  +  1/2B)/(I  +  C  +  B)]  ×  100

Ipsilateral forelimb  =  (I); contralateral  =  (C); bilateral  =  (B)

Y-axis: FUA score

X-axis: animal group (e.g., sham, vehicle, treatment, etc.) or time-point