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Published on: February 5, 2011
Elevated body swing test after focal cerebral ischemia in rodents: methodological considerations
Edvin Ingberg1, Johanna Gudjonsdottir2, Elvar Theodorsson3
1Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Center for Diagnostics, Linköping University, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden. edvin.ingberg@liu.se.
The elevated body swing test (EBST) shows inconsistent rodent head-swinging after stroke. This study concludes EBST is unreliable for assessing motor asymmetry following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Stroke Research
Background:
- The elevated body swing test (EBST) is a rodent behavioral assay for experimental stroke.
- Previous studies observed an unexpected shift in swing direction post-MCAo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review literature on EBST swing direction after stroke.
- To experimentally investigate the directional shift in EBST behavior.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review on EBST in rodent stroke models.
- Experimental investigation using 83 Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to MCAo or sham surgery.
- EBST performed up to 7 days post-lesion.
Main Results:
- Rodent head-swinging direction in EBST can differ and shift over time after cerebral ischemia.
- Significant differences observed in EBST results between male and female rats (p=0.023).
Conclusions:
- The EBST demonstrates variability and time-dependent shifts in rodent stroke models.
- The EBST is not recommended for evaluating motor asymmetry after MCAo in rats.
