Tennant Kelly A, Asay Aaron L, Allred Rachel P, Ozburn Angela R, Kleim Jeffrey A, Jones Theresa A
Institute for Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA.
J Vis Exp. 2010 Jul 21(41):2076. doi: 10.3791/2076.
Previous characterizations of rodent eating behavior have revealed that they use coordinated forepaw movements to manipulate food pieces. We have extended upon this work to develop a simple quantitative measure of forepaw dexterity that is sensitive to lateralized impairments and age-dependent changes. Rodents learn skillful forepaw and digit movements to manage thin pasta pieces, which they eagerly consume. We have previously described methods for quantifying vermicelli handling in rats and showed that the measures are very sensitive to forelimb impairments resulting from unilateral ischemic lesions, middle cerebral artery occlusions and unilateral striatal dopamine depletion [Allred, R.P., Adkins, D.L., Woodlee, M.T., Husbands, L.C., Maldonado M.A., Kane, J.R., Schallert, T. & Jones, T.A. The Vermicelli Handling Test: a simple quantitative measure of dexterous forepaw function in rats. J. Neurosci. Methods 170, 229-244 (2008)]. Here we present a more detailed protocol for this test in rats and compare it with a newly developed version for mice, the Capellini Handling Test. Rats and mice are videotaped while handling short lengths of uncooked vermicelli or capellini pasta, respectively, with a camera positioned to optimize the view of paw movements. Slow motion video playback allows for the identification of forepaw adjustments, defined as any distinct removal and replacement of the paw, or of any number of digits, on the pasta piece after eating commences. Forepaw adjustments per piece are averaged over trials per each testing session. Repeated testing permits sensitive quantitative analysis of changes in forepaw dexterity over time. Protocols for pre-testing habituation and handling practice, as well as procedures for characterizing atypical handling patterns, are described. Because rats and mice perform the pasta handling tests slightly differently, species-specific differences in administration and scoring of these tests are highlighted. All animal use was in accordance with protocols approved by the University of Texas at Austin Animal Care and Use Committee.
先前对啮齿动物进食行为的特征描述表明，它们会利用前爪的协调运动来操控食物块。我们在此基础上进行了拓展，开发出一种简单的前爪灵巧性定量测量方法，该方法对侧化损伤和年龄依赖性变化敏感。啮齿动物学会了熟练运用前爪和手指动作来处理细面条块，它们会急切地吃掉这些面条。我们之前已经描述了量化大鼠处理粉丝的方法，并表明这些测量方法对单侧缺血性损伤、大脑中动脉闭塞和单侧纹状体多巴胺耗竭导致的前肢损伤非常敏感[奥尔雷德，R.P.，阿德金斯，D.L.，伍德利，M.T.，赫斯本兹，L.C.，马尔多纳多，M.A.，凯恩，J.R.，沙勒特，T. & 琼斯，T.A. 粉丝处理测试：大鼠灵巧前爪功能的一种简单定量测量方法。《神经科学方法杂志》170，229 - 244（2008年）]。在此，我们给出了该测试在大鼠中的更详细方案，并将其与新开发的小鼠版本——意大利细面条处理测试进行比较。分别给大鼠和小鼠拍摄处理短段未煮过的粉丝或意大利细面条的视频，摄像机的位置经过优化，以最佳视角观察爪子的动作。慢动作视频回放有助于识别前爪调整，前爪调整定义为进食开始后，爪子或任意数量的手指在面条块上进行的任何明显的移除和重新放置动作。每次测试环节中，每块面条的前爪调整次数在各次试验中进行平均。重复测试允许对前爪灵巧性随时间的变化进行灵敏的定量分析。文中描述了预测试习惯化和处理练习的方案，以及表征非典型处理模式的程序。由于大鼠和小鼠进行面条处理测试的方式略有不同，因此突出了这些测试在给药和评分方面的物种特异性差异。所有动物的使用均符合德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校动物护理与使用委员会批准的方案。
