Significance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prophylaxis and Treatment after Spinal Cord Injury in Rodent Models

Table 1

Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. BBB scale is used as a tool to assess locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury in rodent models [48].

Points	Clinical observation
0	No observable movement of the hindlimbs.
1	Slight (limited) movement of one or two joints, usually hip and/or knee.
2	Extensive movement of one joint or extensive movement of one joint and slight movement of the other.
3	Extensive movement of two joints.
4	Slight movement of all three joints of the hindlimbs.
5	Slight movement of two joints and extensive movement of the third joint.
6	Extensive movement of two joints and slight movement of the third joint.
7	Extensive movement of the three joints in the hindlimbs.
8	Sweeping without weight-bearing or plantar support of the paw without weight-bearing.
9	Plantar support of the paw with weight-bearing only in the support stage (i.e., when static) or occasional, frequent, or inconsistent dorsal stepping with weight-bearing and no plantar stepping.
10	Plantar stepping with occasional weight-bearing and no forelimb-hindlimb coordination.
11	Plantar stepping with frequent to consistent weight-bearing and occasional forelimb-hindlimb coordination.
12	Plantar stepping with frequent to consistent weight-bearing and occasional forelimb-hindlimb coordination.
13	Plantar stepping with frequent to consistent weight-bearing and frequent forelimb-hindlimb coordination.
14	Plantar stepping with consistent weight support, consistent forelimb-hindlimb coordination, and predominantly rotated paw position (internally or externally) during locomotion both at the instant of initial contact with the surface as well as before moving the toes at the end of the support stage or frequent plantar stepping, consistent forelimb-hindlimb coordination, and occasional dorsal stepping.
15	Consistent plantar stepping, consistent forelimb-hindlimb coordination, and no movement of the toes or occasional movement during forward movement of limb; predominant paw position is parallel to the body at the time of initial contact.
16	Consistent plantar stepping and forelimb-hindlimb coordination during gait and movement of the toes occurring frequently during forward movement of the limb; the predominant paw position is parallel to the body at the time of initial contact and curved at the instant of movement.
17	Consistent plantar stepping and forelimb-hindlimb coordination during gait and movement of the toes occurring frequently during forward movement of limb; the predominant paw position is parallel to the body at the time of initial contact and at the instant of movement of the toes.
18	Consistent plantar stepping and forelimb-hindlimb coordination during gait and movement of the toes occurring consistently during forward movement of limb; the predominant paw position is parallel to the body at the time of initial contact and curved during movement of the toes.
19	Consistent plantar stepping and forelimb-hindlimb coordination during gait and movement of the toes occurring consistently during forward movement of limb; the predominant paw position is parallel to the body at the instant of contact and at the time of movement of the toes, and the animal presents a downward tail some or all of the time.
20	Consistent plantar stepping and forelimb-hindlimb coordination during gait and movement of the toes occurring consistently during forward movement of limb; the predominant paw position is parallel to the body at the instant of contact and at the time of movement of toes, and the animal presents consistent elevation of the tail and trunk instability.
21	Consistent plantar stepping and coordinated gait, consistent movement of the toes; paw position is predominantly parallel to the body during the whole support stage; consistent trunk stability; consistent tail elevation.