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Recommendations for measuring whisker movements and locomotion in mice with sensory, motor and cognitive deficits
Ugne Simanaviciute1, Jewel Ahmed2, Richard E Brown3
1Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK; School of Biological Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
Background:
Previous studies have measured whisker movements and locomotion to characterise mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. However, these studies have always been completed in isolation, and do not involve standardized procedures for comparisons across multiple mouse models and background strains.
New Method:
We present a standard method for conducting whisker movement and locomotion studies, by carrying out qualitative scoring and quantitative measurement of whisker movements from high-speed video footage of mouse models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Somatosensory Cortex Development and Ischemic stroke.
Results:
Sex, background strain, source breeder and genotype all affected whisker movements. All mouse models, apart from Parkinson's disease, revealed differences in whisker movements during locomotion. R6/2 CAG250 Huntington's disease mice had the strongest behavioural phenotype. Robo3R3-5-CKO and RIM-DKOSert mouse models have abnormal somatosensory cortex development and revealed significant changes in whisker movements during object exploration.
Comparison With Existing Method(S):
Our results have good agreement with past studies, which indicates the robustness and reliability of measuring whisking. We recommend that differences in whisker movements of mice with motor deficits can be captured in open field arenas, but that mice with impairments to sensory or cognitive functioning should also be filmed investigating objects. Scoring clips qualitatively before tracking will help to structure later analyses.
Conclusions:
Studying whisker movements provides a quantitative measure of sensing, motor control and exploration. However, the effect of background strain, sex and age on whisker movements needs to be better understood.
Insights
This study introduces a standardized method for analyzing mouse whisker movements and locomotion, revealing significant differences across various neurodegenerative disease models. The findings highlight the importance of standardized procedures for reliable comparisons in research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Biomedical Research
Background:
- Previous studies on mouse whisker movements and locomotion for neurodegenerative disease characterization lacked standardized procedures.
- This isolation prevented reliable comparisons across different mouse models and background strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a standardized method for whisker movement and locomotion studies in mouse models.
- To enable qualitative scoring and quantitative measurement of whisker movements using high-speed video analysis.
- To compare various mouse models of neurological disorders including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Somatosensory Cortex Development, and Ischemic stroke.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of a standard protocol for high-speed video recording of mouse behavior.
- Qualitative scoring and quantitative measurement of whisker movements during locomotion and object exploration.
- Analysis of whisker movements across multiple mouse models and control groups.
Main Results:
- Whisker movements were significantly influenced by sex, background strain, breeder source, and genotype.
- Most mouse models, except Parkinson's disease, showed distinct whisker movement differences during locomotion.
- R6/2 CAG250 Huntington's disease mice exhibited the most pronounced behavioral phenotype; Robo3R3-5-CKO and RIM-DKOSert models displayed altered whisker movements during object exploration due to somatosensory cortex abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- The standardized method provides robust and reliable quantitative measures of whisking, aligning with previous findings.
- Whisker movement analysis is valuable for assessing motor deficits in open field arenas.
- For sensory or cognitive impairments, filming object investigation is recommended; qualitative scoring prior to tracking enhances analysis structure.
