Protocol Citation: devilbiss 2023. Rotarod test for assessing motor coordination and balance (Rat). protocols.io https://protocols.io/view/rotarod-test-for-assessing-motor-coordination-and-c2j9ycr6
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: September 26, 2023
Last Modified: September 26, 2023
Protocol Integer ID: 88417
Funders Acknowledgement:
David Devilbiss
Grant ID: The New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research (CBIR23PIL003)
David Devilbiss
Grant ID: Rowan University Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowment for Primary Care Research (OHFE-F-2022-25)
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Abstract
This is a variant of the published Med-Associates protocol used to study the effects of mild TBI on motor performance and balance. The original manual/protocol can be found here: https://med-associates.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/DOC-056-R2.2-ENV-577-ROTA-ROD-TREADMILLS.pdf
In these experiments, animals were trained/acclimated to the Rotarod for 3 consecutive days (9 trials total) prior to induction of TBI. Post-injury, animals were re-tested on days 1, 3, and 5 to assess sensorimotor performance and balance improvements over time.
Materials
Daily testing on Rotarod
Daily testing on Rotarod
Setup Rotarod for daily use
Turn on Rotarod and sanitize with an IACUC-approved method (e.g. https://peroxigard.com/product-information/wipes/)
Verify Rotarod is set to accelerate from 4-40 RPM over 5 Min
(Setting #9 on ENV-577; Med-Associates. Inc.)
Reset all photobeams and counters
Start the Rotorod at a fixed rotational speed.
(Push the toggle switch down to the RESET position and release)
Test animal's ability to remain on accelerating Rotarod
Place animal(s) on rod (facing away from you).
(animals will walk in a forward motion).
Allow animal(s) a 5 sec. to acclimate to task.
Start acceleration of rod rotation and timer
(Move switch to ON/ACCEL position)
Record time (in sec.) when
1) animal falls (breaks IR beam) or
2) maintains grip for a full rotation of rod or
3) 300 sec has passed
(remove animal from testing lane as each one completes task and return to home cage)
Allow animals 15 min inter-trial interval rest in home cage.
go to step #1.3 Repeat for a total of 3 trials
Average times across each of the 3 trials.