Apr 02, 2024

Public workspaceWire Hang Test 

DOI
dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn7pypv5d/v1
  • 1Weill Cornell Medicine;
  • 2Johns Hopkins University;
  • 3Weill Cornell Medical College;
  • 4John Hopkins University School of Medicine
Eileen Ruth Torres
Open access
DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn7pypv5d/v1
Protocol Citation: Sabina Marciano, Tae-In Kam, Roberta Marongiu, Ted Dawson 2024. Wire Hang Test . protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn7pypv5d/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: August 19, 2022
Last Modified: May 31, 2024
Protocol Integer ID: 68927
Keywords: ASAPCRN
Funders Acknowledgement:
Aligning Science Across Parkinson's
Grant ID: 020608
Abstract
This behavioral test is used to assess motor deficits in mouse models of Parkinson's disease.
Materials
  • Ring stand x 2
  • 2mm wire tied across the two ring stands, length 55cm, height above table 35cm
  • 70% ethanol for cleaning
Set up the wire across the two ring stands according to the measurements listed in the materials section. Ensure the wire is tightly bound.

Note that for the protocol listed below, the "reaching" score starts at 0, while the "fall score" starts at 10.
Hold the mouse by the tail and place it gently so that only its forepaws reaches and holds the wire. As soon as the animal is properly suspended, start the timer. After being released, most animals catch the wire with the four limbs. This is allowed.
If the mouse reaches one of the ring stands, stop the timer.
Record the time. The “reaching” score increases by 1.
Replace the mouse on the center of the wire and continue testing.
If the mouse falls, the timer is stopped. The time is recorded and its ”fall” score is decreased by 1.
Replace the mouse on the center of the wire and continue testing.
The test ends when the timer reaches 180s or if the fall score reaches 0, i.e. the mouse has fallen 10 times.
Analysis: The final reach and fall scores and measured for all animals tested. A survival curve can also be created using the timestamps for each instance of either the fall or reach score changing.
Protocol references
Based on van Putten 2011 "The use of hanging wire tests to monitor muscle strength and condition over time"
https://www.treat-nmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DMD_M_2.1.004.pdf