Ballermann M, Metz G A, McKenna J E, Klassen F, Whishaw I Q
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and NeuroDetective Inc., University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Dr. AB, T1K 3M4, Lethbridge, Canada.
J Neurosci Methods. 2001 Mar 30;106(1):39-45. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0270(01)00326-0.
Skilled forelimb use has been used in many studies to examine motor system status, learning, and recovery from nervous system damage in rats. The dependent measures in many current skilled reaching models rely on endpoint measures, number of successful reaches, or qualitative measures, the movements used in performing a reach. The present study describes a new reaching task, which allows measurement of distance and direction of skilled forelimb movement while also permitting end point and qualitative measurements. Animals reached from a clear Plexiglas box through an aperture to retrieve pieces of straight, uncooked pasta from an array of 260 vertically oriented pieces of pasta arranged in rows distally and laterally away from the aperture (a matrix). By extending the range of a reach, more pasta is obtained. Limb movements, pieces of pasta removed, and the pattern of pasta removal are dependent measures. The usefulness of the test is demonstrated using control, dorsal column lesion, and unilateral dopamine depleted animals. The task uses a desired food, tests learning and skill, the range of limb movement, and the ability to reach for different distances and directions. The task can also be modified to investigate other features of limb use including skill adjustments, laterality, and force.
在许多研究中，熟练的前肢使用已被用于检查大鼠的运动系统状态、学习情况以及从神经系统损伤中恢复的情况。在许多当前的熟练抓握模型中，相关测量指标依赖于终点测量、成功抓握的次数或定性测量，即执行抓握动作时的运动情况。本研究描述了一种新的抓握任务，该任务能够测量熟练前肢运动的距离和方向，同时也允许进行终点和定性测量。动物从一个透明的有机玻璃箱中通过一个小孔伸出前肢，从一系列260根垂直排列的生面条中抓取面条，这些面条排成几排，位于小孔的远端和侧面（形成一个矩阵）。通过扩大抓握范围，可以获取更多的面条。肢体运动、抓取的面条数量以及抓取面条的模式都是相关测量指标。使用对照动物、背柱损伤动物和单侧多巴胺耗竭动物证明了该测试的有效性。该任务使用了一种诱人的食物，测试学习和技能、肢体运动范围以及向不同距离和方向抓握的能力。该任务还可以进行修改，以研究肢体使用的其他特征，包括技能调整、偏侧性和力量。
