title: Experimental video analysis of eye blink reflex in a primate model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The establishment of reliable methods for functional assessment in experimental models of peripheral nerve regeneration is crucial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a straightforward method for video analysis of the eye blink reflex in a model of facial nerve damage in a nonhuman primate (Callithrix sp.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our 6-level dynamic analysis demonstrated good reproducibility between independent observers, as measured by Cohen's kappa index. Our static analysis, which was based on 4 semiautomated metric parameters, showed low correlation during the early stage of facial movement recovery (the first and second weeks), but the correlation was excellent during the later stage of recovery (the third and fourth weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Altogether, our results establish a viable and readily accessible method with good reproducibility and correlation for the analysis of functional facial nerve recovery in an experimental model and based on video images of the eye blink reflex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. andreiborin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borin
authors.forename: Luiz Eugênio Araujo M
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Felipe Costa
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Neiva
authors.forename: José Ricardo Gurgel
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: Oswaldo Laércio Mendonça
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology*; D002144:Callithrix / Q000502:physiology*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009409:Nerve Crush; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014741:Video Recording