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High-Speed-Ventral-Plane Videography Identifies Specific Gait Pattern Changes in Cuprizone-Induced Demyelination in
Paula Giesler1, Markus Kipp1, Alexander Hawlitschka1
1Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstraße 9, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
Cells
|July 11, 2025
Summary
High-resolution gait analysis effectively tracks motor deficits in demyelination models. This non-invasive method correlates gait changes with brain pathology, aiding in evaluating new multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Gait disturbances are key motor symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Preclinical models often lack detailed functional characterization of MS-related gait changes.
- Cuprizone-induced demyelination is a common model for studying MS pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionally characterize gait alterations in a cuprizone-induced demyelination mouse model.
- To assess the correlation between gait parameters and histopathological demyelination.
- To validate high-resolution videography as a tool for monitoring MS-related motor deficits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-speed ventral plane videography (DigiGait™) for gait analysis.
- Induced demyelination over 5 weeks using cuprizone in male C57BL/6 mice.
- Correlated quantitative gait data with histopathological assessments of myelination and microglial activation.
Main Results:
- Significant alterations in stride time, paw angle, and midline distance were observed, particularly in hind limbs.
- Behavioral impairments correlated with reduced myelination and increased microglial activation in motor-relevant brain areas.
- Specific gait parameters showed strong correlations with the extent of demyelination.
Conclusions:
- High-resolution gait analysis is a sensitive, non-invasive method for detecting functional deficits in demyelinating models.
- Gait parameters can serve as relevant functional biomarkers for MS.
- This approach can aid in evaluating the efficacy of future therapeutic interventions for MS.
