Adaptation of a ladder beam walking task to assess locomotor recovery in mice following spinal cord injury

Behav Brain Res, 2007 · DOI: · Published: February 27, 2007

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study adapts a horizontal ladder beam task, commonly used in rats, for assessing locomotor recovery in mice after spinal cord injury (SCI). The ladder beam provides a sensitive and easily scored method to measure hindlimb function. The modified ladder beam allows for the use of parametric statistical tests to assess locomotor recovery. Performance is consistent across different mouse strains and sexes, with high inter-rater reliability. The ladder beam task effectively discriminates between mice with varying degrees of injury severity, particularly those exhibiting weight-supported stance up to coordinated forelimb-hindlimb movements.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Mice (various strains, including NOD-scid, Bub/BnJ, Balb/c, and C57Bl/6)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The horizontal ladder beam task can be reliably administered and scored in mice with high inter-rater reliability.
2
Ladder beam performance correlates with the severity of spinal cord injury in mice.
3
The ladder beam task is more sensitive than open-field testing in discriminating between mice with certain levels of locomotor recovery.

Research Summary

The study introduces a modified horizontal ladder beam task and scoring system for assessing hindlimb recovery in mice following spinal cord injury. The ladder beam task allows for standard parametric statistical tests to assess locomotor recovery. The results indicate that ladder beam performance is consistent across different strains of mice and shows no sex differences. The ladder beam score is proportional to injury severity and can distinguish between mice with varying levels of recovery. The horizontal ladder beam testing discriminates between mice that score identically in terms of stepping frequency in open-field testing, demonstrating the task's superior sensitivity.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Sensitivity in Locomotor Assessment

The ladder beam task provides a more sensitive measure of locomotor recovery in mice compared to open-field testing, particularly for animals with weight-supported stepping and coordination.

Quantitative and Parametric Data

The ladder beam task yields quantitative parametric data suitable for standard statistical analyses, allowing for more robust comparisons between treatment groups.

Improved Discrimination of Recovery Levels

The ladder beam task is particularly useful for discriminating between discrete levels of recovery once mice have achieved weight-supported stepping, aiding in the evaluation of SCI therapies.

Study Limitations

1
Ladder beam performance is only meaningful in animals capable of weight supported stepping.
2
The LBS cannot differentiate between animals at the highest end of recovery (e.g. animals with consistent coordinated walking but varying degrees of trunk instability).
3
Analysis is more time consuming than open-field testing, making the collection of recovery over time more difficult.

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