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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Rodent Behavioral Testing to Assess Functional Deficits Caused by Microelectrode Implantation in the Rat Motor Cortex
Published on: August 18, 2018
[Evaluation of the motor behavior in rats with cortical ablation]
R Gonzalez-Pina1, A Bueno-Nava, A Alfaro-Rodriguez
1Laboratorio de Neuroplasticidad, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, SSA, México DF, Mexico. higgo65@salud.gob.mx
Introduction:
The cortical ablation has been used as an experimental model in order to study the basic mechanisms of functional recovery. However, there is not data concerning to the injury effects on the motor and somatosensorial behavioral manifestations that allow us to categorize such sequels as a hemiplegic model.
Materials And Methods:
We used 35 male Wistar rats (280-300 g) allocated in two groups: control (n = 17) and brain injured by cortical ablation (n = 18). Previously trained, basal recordings of the footprint and motor and somatosensorial assessment were performed in the rats before surgery. The behavioral tests were performed again 6 hours after surgery and the spontaneous ambulatory activity was also evaluated.
Results And Conclusions:
It was observed a decrease in the stride's length and an increase in the stride's angle and in the motor deficit, while the somatosensorial assessment and spontaneous ambulatory activity were not affected. These findings are discussed in function of the motor features of the hemiparetic sequels in humans.
