Automated quantitative gait analysis in animal models of movement disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Accurate and reproducible behavioral tests in animal models are of major importance in the development and evaluation of new therapies for central nervous system disease. In this study we investigated for the first time gait parameters of rat models for Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and stroke using the Catwalk method, a novel automated gait analysis test. Static and dynamic gait parameters were measured in all animal models, and these data were compared to readouts of established behavioral tests, such as the cylinder test in the PD and stroke rats and the rotarod tests for the HD group.

Results

Hemiparkinsonian rats were generated by unilateral injection of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine in the striatum or in the medial forebrain bundle.

SUBMITTER: Vandeputte C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2924851 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature