Jun 09, 2023
Rotarod Test to assess motor coordination in a mouse parkinsonian model
- natalia.lopezgonzalezdelrey1,
- Zachary Gaertner1
- 1Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Neurology Department
Protocol Citation: natalia.lopezgonzalezdelrey, Zachary Gaertner 2023. Rotarod Test to assess motor coordination in a mouse parkinsonian model. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.kxygx3kwdg8j/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: June 09, 2023
Last Modified: May 31, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 83156
Keywords: ASAPCRN
Funders Acknowledgement:
Aligning Science Across Parkinson's [ASAP-020600] through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)
Grant ID: ASAP-020600
Abstract
Protocol for the evaluation of motor coordination in the rotarod assay in parkinsonian mice.
Materials
Equipment
(76-0770) Rota Rod with Touchscreen, 5 Mice Harvard Apparatus
Consumables
- 70% ethanol (ETOH) in water solution: used to sanitize the instrument between subjects
- Paper towels
- Non-toxic markers: Sharpie® brand (red, blue, black, purple preferred)
Open Field Test
Open Field Test
Total duration: 4 days
Protocol
Protocol
Training Phase: 3 days
Testing Phase: 3 days
Training phase
Training phase
Duration: 3 days
Four trials separated by at least 30 min inter-trial intervals at constant velocity.
Prior to placing the subjects onto the rod, confirm the trip plates are in the active position, the rod is rotating at the start speed of 4 RPM and the reset button has been clicked.
Place the mice onto the rotating rod in sequential order of rod lanes from lane 1 on the far left of the rod to lane 5. Immediately upon all mice being placed onto the rod, press the START button on the instrument panel to start the timers. As the mice fall from the rod, each lane’s trip plate will stop the timer and display the latency in minutes and seconds. Once all mice in a trial have fallen and placed into their cages remove all gross urine and feces with a dry paper towel. The instrument must be thoroughly sanitized with 70% ethanol.
Test phase
Test phase
Duration: 3 days
Four trials separated by at least 30 min inter-trial intervals in accelerating mode from 4 to 40 rpm in 3000s.
Prior to placing the subjects onto the rod, confirm the trip plates are in the active position, the rod is rotating at the start speed of 0 RPM and the reset button has been clicked.
Place the mice onto the rotating rod in sequential order of rod lanes from lane 1 on the far left of the rod to lane 5. Immediately upon all mice being placed onto the rod, press the START button on the instrument panel to start the timers. As the mice fall from the rod, each lane’s trip plate will stop the timer and display the latency in minutes and seconds. Once all mice in a trial have fallen and placed into their cages remove all gross urine and feces with a dry paper towel. The instrument must be thoroughly sanitized with 70% ethanol.
Analysis
Analysis
Latency of fall. The cumulative time (seconds) the subject maintains its balance on the rotarod prior to falling off of the rod. The maximum latency is set at 300 seconds per trial.
The analysis should cover the latency of fall (when applies):
- by day
- by phase
- by group: control vs parkinsonian
- by treatment: control vs l-dopa