title: Behavioral and locomotor measurements using an open field activity monitoring system for skeletal muscle diseases.
abstract: The open field activity monitoring system comprehensively assesses locomotor and behavioral activity levels of mice. It is a useful tool for assessing locomotive impairment in animal models of neuromuscular disease and efficacy of therapeutic drugs that may improve locomotion and/or muscle function. The open field activity measurement provides a different measure than muscle strength, which is commonly assessed by grip strength measurements. It can also show how drugs may affect other body systems as well when used with additional outcome measures. In addition, measures such as total distance traveled mirror the 6 min walk test, a clinical trial outcome measure. However, open field activity monitoring is also associated with significant challenges: Open field activity measurements vary according to animal strain, age, sex, and circadian rhythm. In addition, room temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, and even odor can affect assessment outcomes. Overall, this manuscript provides a well-tested and standardized open field activity SOP for preclinical trials in animal models of neuromuscular diseases. We provide a discussion of important considerations, typical results, data analysis, and detail the strengths and weaknesses of open field testing. In addition, we provide recommendations for optimal study design when using open field activity in a preclinical trial.
authors.affiliation: Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center; KTatem@cnmc.org.
authors.forename: Kathleen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tatem
authors.affiliation: Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center.
authors.forename: Aditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phadke
authors.affiliation: Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center; Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gordish-Dressman
authors.affiliation: Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center; Department of Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
authors.forename: Kanneboyina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagaraju
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*