The supination assessment task: An automated method for quantifying forelimb rotational function in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neurological injuries or disease can impair the function of motor circuitry controlling forearm supination, and recovery is often limited. Preclinical animal models are essential tools for developing therapeutic interventions to improve motor function after neurological damage. Here we describe the supination assessment task, an automated measure of quantifying forelimb supination in the rat.

New method

Animals were trained to reach out of a slot in a cage, grasp a spherical manipulandum, and supinate the forelimb. The angle of the manipulandum was measured using a rotary encoder. If the animal exceeded the predetermined turn angle, a reward pellet was delivered. This automated task provides a large, high-resolution dataset of turn angle over time. Multiple parame

SUBMITTER: Meyers E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5081185 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature