CatWalk gait analysis in a rat model of multiple sclerosis

BMC Neuroscience, 2016 · DOI: 10.1186/s12868-016-0317-0 · Published: December 6, 2016

Simple Explanation

This study investigates gait abnormalities in a rat model of multiple sclerosis (MS) using the CatWalk XT system. The goal was to determine if this system could detect subtle, early-stage gait changes and if it could be used to assess treatment effectiveness. The researchers found that the CatWalk system did not detect any gait abnormalities before the onset of clinical symptoms in the rat model. However, they identified a combination of gait parameters that could predict the onset of the disease. The study suggests that while the CatWalk system may not be beneficial for detecting early-stage changes or evaluating treatments with significant effects, it could be useful in studies focused on nerve regeneration where subtle improvements in function need to be detected.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

42 female Brown Norway rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
No preclinical gait abnormalities were detected by the CatWalk system in MOG-EAE rats.
2
A combination of gait parameters (run duration, stride length of front right and back right limbs) showed predictive capacity for disease onset.
3
Histopathological analysis revealed that lesion formation begins in the lumbar region of the spinal cord and progresses towards the cervical region during the disease course.

Research Summary

The study aimed to assess the usability of the CatWalk XT system to detect early gait abnormalities in a rat model of multiple sclerosis (MOG-EAE) and its applicability in treatment studies. The results indicated that the CatWalk system did not detect any preclinical gait abnormalities, and its performance during treatment mirrored the conventional EAE-scoring paradigm. The authors suggest that the CatWalk system might be more useful in regeneration-oriented studies where the detection of subtle functional improvements is crucial, but should be combined with other methods.

Practical Implications

Refined Testing in Regeneration Studies

The CatWalk system may be a refined test to detect small but functional relevant changes in regeneration-orientated studies.

Limited Benefit in Chronic Progressive EAE

The CatWalk test indicates no benefit of lab-intensive automated gait system in EAE-model with chronic-progressive disease course.

Combination with Other Methods

CatWalk analysis should be combined with histopathological and electrophysiological studies to give a more accurate view of structure–function relations of disease processes in EAE.

Study Limitations

1
Heterogeneity in the time point of clinical manifestation of EAE.
2
Moderate to severe deficits occurred during the disease course prevented animals to perform CatWalk test.
3
Pathology is randomly distributed and is not restricted to the specific motor tract system.

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