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Motor tests | |
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Raising rat by tail (normal = 0, maximum = 3) | (3) |
Flexion of forelimb | 1 |
Flexion of hindlimb | 1 |
Head moved >10 degree limb vertical axis within 30 s | 1 |
Placing rat on floor (normal = 0, maximum = 3) | (3) |
Normal walk | 0 |
Inability to walk straight | 1 |
Circling toward the paretic side | 2 |
Falling down to paretic side | 3 |
Sensory tests (normal = 0, maximum = 2) | (2) |
Placing test (visual and tactile test) | 1 |
Proprioceptive test (deep sensation, pushing paw against table edge to stimulate limb muscles) | 1 |
Beam balance tests (normal = 0, maximum = 6) | (6) |
Balance with steady posture | 0 |
Grasps side of beam | 1 |
Huging beam and 1 limb falling down from beam | 2 |
Huging beam and 2 limbs falling down from beam, or spins on beam (>60 s) | 3 |
Attempting to balance on beam but falling off (>40 s) | 4 |
Attempting to balance on beam but falling off (>20 s) | 5 |
Falling off; no attempt to balance or hang on the beam (<20 s) | 6 |
Reflex absence and abnormal movements (normal = 0, maximum = 4) | (4) |
Pinna reflex (head shaken when auditory meatus is touched) | 1 |
Corneal reflex (eyes blink when cornea is lightly touched with cotton) | 1 |
Startle reflex (motor response to brief noise from clapping hands) | 1 |
Seizures, myoclonus, myodystony | 1 |
Maximum points | (18) |
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One point is given for an absent reflex tested or for the animal’s inability to perform a task: 1–6 mild injury, 7–12 moderate injury, and 13–18 severe injury | |
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