Fig. 1.
A handmade wire slope.
5.
A blunt stick or Q-tip (cotton swab)
3 Methods
1.
Each test is carried out prior to and after surgery at each interval of 24 h until the sacrifice.
2.
The examiner must have no knowledge of the procedure or treatment that animals have undergone.
3.
The neurobehavioral study consists of the following six tests (Table 1).
Table 1
Modified Garcia’s score
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Spontaneous activity | Not approach any wall of cage | Approach one wall of cage | Approach two walls of cage | Approach at least three walls of cage |
Spontaneous movement of all four limbs | No movement | Limited movement | Move fully but slowly | Move the same as pre-SAH |
Forepaw outstretching | No outstretching | Slight outstretching | Limited outstretching | Outstretch the same as pre-SAH |
Climbing | Fall from slope | Failed climbing | Weak climbing | Normal climbing |
Body proprioception | – | No response | Weak response | Normal response |
Response to vibrissae touch | – | No response | Weak response | Normal response |
3.1 Spontaneous Activity
1.
Move an animal in the center of an empty animal cage.
2.
Observe the animal’s activity for 5 min.
3.
The animal’s activity is assessed by its ability to approach the walls of the cage.
4.
Scores indicate the following:
3, rat approaches and touches using both anterior limbs at least three walls of the cage.
2, rat approaches and touches using both anterior limbs two walls of the cage or reaches at least one upper rim of the cage.
1, rat approaches and touches using both anterior limbs one wall of the cage.
0, rat cannot approach any wall of the cage.
3.2 Spontaneous Movement of All Four Limbs
1.
Hold an animal in the air by the tail.
2.
Observe the movement of the four limbs.
3.
Scores indicate the following:
3, all four limbs extend symmetrically and move the same as presurgery.
2, all four limbs extend more slowly compared with presurgery.
1, at least one limb shows limited movement.
0, at least one limb shows no movement.
3.3 Forepaw Outstretching
1.
Bring up an animal to the edge of the table and make it to walk on forelimbs while being held by the tail.
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