Jan 31, 2024

Public workspaceRotarod-Test for Mice

DOI
dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn3qpml5d/v1
  • 1Neuromodulatory Network Group, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg
Prigge Lab
Open access
DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn3qpml5d/v1
Protocol Citation: Cristian González-Cabrera, Katharina Draggendorf, Matthias Prigge 2024. Rotarod-Test for Mice. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn3qpml5d/v1
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: January 31, 2024
Last Modified: May 31, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 94451
Keywords: Behavior, Phenotyping, motor, impairment, Parkinson, ASAPCRN
Funders Acknowledgement:
ASAP
Grant ID: 020505
Abstract
The Rotarod Test Protocol for Mice assesses their motor coordination and balance. Mice are trained to walk on a rotating rod in a dimly lit environment and then tested for their ability to maintain balance as the rod accelerates from 4 to 40 RPM. The test, repeated thrice with intervals, measures the latency to fall and speed at the fall. This protocol is vital to study neurological disease such as Parkinson disease.
Objective
Objective
To assess motor coordination and balance in mice
Apparatus
Apparatus
  • A suitable Rotarod system for mice, including a rotating rod with separate lanes and fall sensors (e.g., SD Instruments or Med Associates).
  • Dim red lighting for the test environment - not more the 50lux
Preparation
Preparation
  • Acclimate mice to the test environment and handler before testing.
  • Bring mice in their home cage to the behavioral room at least 1 hour before testing to minimize stress.
Training
Training
  • The goal is for mice to be able to walk forward on the rotating rod.
  • Place mice in separate lanes on the rod rotating at 5 RPM, allowing them to walk forward to maintain balance.
  • After 60 seconds on the rod, return mice to their home cage.
  • Clean the Rotarod with diluted ethanol between training rounds.
  • Perform a total of three repetitions with a 5-minute interval.
  • If a mouse falls off before completing 60 seconds, the round can be repeated, but total rounds should not exceed four.
Test Procedure
Test Procedure
  • Place mice in separate lanes on a rod starting at 4 RPM.
  • Set the Rotarod to accelerate from 4 to 40 RPM over 300 seconds.
  • The trial begins with the start of acceleration and ends when a mouse falls off the rod.
  • If a mouse clings to the rod and completes a full passive rotation, the timer for that mouse is stopped.
  • Return any fallen mice to their home cage, ensuring minimal disturbance to others still in the trial.
  • A repeat trial is conducted if the mouse passively rotates or falls off within 5 seconds of the trial start.
  • Clean the apparatus with Virkon between trials.
  • Repeat the procedure for a total of three trials with a 10-minute interval between trials.
Data Analysis
Data Analysis
  • Record and analyze the following parameters
  • Latency to fall.
  • Speed at the time of fall.