title: A robotic system for quantitative assessment and poststroke training of forelimb retraction in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurorehabilitation protocols based on the use of robotic devices have recently shown to provide promising clinical results. However, their efficacy is still limited because of the poor comprehension of the mechanisms at the basis of functional enhancements.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To increase basic understanding of robot-mediated neurorehabilitation by performing experiments on a rodent model of stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mice were trained to pull back a handle on a robotic platform and their performances in the task were evaluated before and after a focal cortical ischemic stroke. The platform was designed for the quantitative assessment of forelimb function via a series of parameters (time needed to complete the task, t-target; average force; number of sub-movements).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The animals rapidly learned the retraction task and reached asymptotic performance by the fifth session of training. Within 2 to 6 days after a small, endothelin-1-induced lesion in the caudal forelimb area, mice showed an increase in t-target and number of sub-movements and a corresponding decrease in the average force exerted. These parameters returned to baseline, pre-lesion values with continued platform training (10-14 days after stroke).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results highlight the utility of the devised platform for characterizing post-infarct deficits and improvements of forelimb performance. Further research is warranted to widen the understanding of device-dependent rehabilitation effects.
authors.affiliation: 1CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spalletti
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mainardi
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panarese
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghionzoli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alia
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianfranceschi
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chisari
authors.forename: Silvestro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Micera
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caleo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: forelimb flexor performance; mouse motor cortex; robot-mediated rehabilitation; stroke