title: Novel test of motor and other dysfunctions in mouse neurological disease models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Just like human neurological disorders, corresponding mouse models present multiple deficiencies. Estimating disease progression or potential treatment effectiveness in such models necessitates the use of time consuming and multiple tests usually requiring a large number of scarcely available genetically modified animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we present a novel and simple single camera arrangement and analysis software for detailed motor function evaluation in mice walking on a wire mesh that provides complex 3D information (instantaneous position, speed, distance traveled, foot fault depth, duration, location, relationship to speed of movement, etc.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We investigated 3 groups of mice with various neurological deficits: (1) unilateral motor cortical stroke; (2) effects of moderate ethanol doses; and (3) aging (96-99 weeks old). We show that post stroke recovery can be divided into separate stages based on strikingly different characteristics of motor function deficits, some resembling the human motor neglect syndrome. Mice treated with moderate dose of alcohol and aged mice showed specific motor and exploratory deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Other tests rely either partially or entirely on manual video analysis introducing a significant subjective component into the analysis, and analyze a single aspect of motor function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our novel experimental approach provides qualitatively new, complex information about motor impairments and locomotor/exploratory activity. It should be useful for the detailed characterization of a broad range of human neurological disease models in mice, and for the more accurate assessment of disease progression or treatment effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Albert M I
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mody
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012984:Software; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: Hole board; Motor performance; Open field; Stroke; Video; Wire mesh