Article

Kinematic analysis of reaching movements is
increasingly used to evaluate upper extremity function after cerebrovascular
insults in humans and has also been applied to rodent models. Such analyses can
require time-consuming frame-by-frame inspections and are affected by the
experimenter's bias. In this study, we introduce a semi-automated algorithm for
tracking forepaw movements in mice. This methodology allows us to calculate
several kinematic measures for the quantitative assessment of performance in a
skilled reaching task before and after a focal cortical stroke. METHODS: Mice
were trained to reach for food pellets with their preferred paw until asymptotic
performance was achieved. Photothrombosis was then applied to induce a focal
ischemic injury in the motor cortex, contralateral to the trained limb. Mice were
tested again once a week for 30 days. A high frame rate camera was used to record
the movements of the paw, which was painted with a nontoxic dye. An algorithm was
then applied off-line to track the trajectories and to compute kinematic measures
for motor performance evaluation. RESULTS: The tracking algorithm proved to be
fast, accurate, and robust. A number of kinematic measures were identified as
sensitive indicators of poststroke modifications. Based on end-point measures,
ischemic mice appeared to improve their motor performance after 2 weeks. However,
kinematic analysis revealed the persistence of specific trajectory adjustments up
to 30 days poststroke, indicating the use of compensatory strategies.
CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of kinematic analysis in mice as a
tool for both detection of poststroke functional impairments and tracking of
motor improvements following rehabilitation. Similar studies could be performed
in parallel with human studies to exploit the translational value of this skilled
reaching analysis.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS