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Automated Gait Analysis in Mice with Chronic Constriction Injury
Published on: October 17, 2017
Gait analysis in normal and spinal contused mice using the TreadScan system
Jason E Beare1, Johnny R Morehouse, William H DeVries
1Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|November 6, 2009
Summary
The TreadScan system offers an objective and rapid method for assessing locomotor function in mice after spinal cord injury (SCI). This automated gait analysis effectively detects differences between injured and sham animals, aiding SCI research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Animal Models
Background:
- Advancing spinal cord injury (SCI) research requires sensitive outcome measures for animal models.
- Current methods for assessing SCI-induced dysfunction are often subjective or labor-intensive.
- Objective and automated gait analysis can significantly improve the evaluation of locomotor recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the TreadScan system's efficacy in quantifying gait changes in mice following contusion spinal cord injury.
- To compare the sensitivity of TreadScan gait analysis with traditional methods like the Basso Mouse Scale (BMS).
- To establish TreadScan as a reliable tool for objective behavioral assessment in SCI research.
Main Methods:
- Adult female C57Bl/6 mice underwent treadmill acclimation before receiving mild, moderate, or sham contusion spinal cord injury.
- Automated gait analysis was performed weekly for 10 weeks using the TreadScan system, capturing and analyzing footprint data.
- Gait parameters were compared with Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) scores to validate TreadScan's sensitivity.
Main Results:
- TreadScan successfully differentiated between sham and injured mice across multiple gait characteristics (hindlimb swing time, stride length, toe spread, track width).
- The system detected significant differences between mild and moderate contusion injuries, demonstrating high sensitivity.
- Rear track width showed a strong correlation with spared white matter and terminal BMS scores.
Conclusions:
- TreadScan provides an objective, rapid, and sensitive method for assessing locomotor function after mild to moderate contusive SCI in mice.
- This automated system enhances the ability to detect functional deficits and recovery in SCI animal models.
- TreadScan analysis, particularly rear track width, offers valuable insights into hindlimb function and its correlation with injury severity and recovery.
