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Detecting Behavioral Deficits in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 30, 2018
Neurological Exam in Rats Following Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury
Hale Z Toklu1,2, Zhiui Yang3, Mehmet Ersahin4
1University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Gainesville, FL, USA. haletoklu@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Using the appropriate model for testing neurological symptoms in rats is essential for the assessment of functional outcome. A number of tests have been developed to quantify the severity of neurological deficits. These tests should meet criteria such as validity, specificity, sensitivity, and utility. Although analysis of motor function shows homology in primates and rodents, the total neurological exam scores may not always reflect the clinical outcome. Therefore, the selection of the appropriate tests has critical importance when evaluating therapeutic strategies. This chapter describes Toklu's modified neurological exam score method which can be used practically to assess neurological symptoms following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke. The method is a combination of balance, muscle strength, coordination, and reflex.
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