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. 2014 Jan 22:6:7-14.
doi: 10.4137/JCNSD.S13194. eCollection 2014.

Manual versus Automated Rodent Behavioral Assessment: Comparing Efficacy and Ease of Bederson and Garcia Neurological Deficit Scores to an Open Field Video-Tracking System

Fiona A Desland  1 , Aqeela Afzal  1 , Zuha Warraich  1 , J Mocco  1
Affiliations

Manual versus Automated Rodent Behavioral Assessment: Comparing Efficacy and Ease of Bederson and Garcia Neurological Deficit Scores to an Open Field Video-Tracking System

Fiona A Desland et al. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis. .

Abstract

Animal models of stroke have been crucial in advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. Currently, the standards for determining neurological deficit in rodents are the Bederson and Garcia scales, manual assessments scoring animals based on parameters ranked on a narrow scale of severity. Automated open field analysis of a live-video tracking system that analyzes animal behavior may provide a more sensitive test. Results obtained from the manual Bederson and Garcia scales did not show significant differences between pre- and post-stroke animals in a small cohort. When using the same cohort, however, post-stroke data obtained from automated open field analysis showed significant differences in several parameters. Furthermore, large cohort analysis also demonstrated increased sensitivity with automated open field analysis versus the Bederson and Garcia scales. These early data indicate use of automated open field analysis software may provide a more sensitive assessment when compared to traditional Bederson and Garcia scales.

Keywords: Bederson and Garcia deficit score; open field behavior tracking; rodent; stroke.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Bederson and Garcia Behavior Scores. (A) Animals were evaluated for forelimb flexion, lateral push and circling behavior. Animals were either scored as 1 (impaired) or 0 (unimpaired). Bederson scores for pre- versus post-stroke were not significant. (B) Animals were evaluated for spontaneous activity, symmetry in movement of limbs, forepaw outstretching, climbing, body proprioception and vibrissae touch. Animals were scored as 0 (severely impaired), 1, 2 or 3 (unimpaired). Garcia behavior scores for pre- versus post-stroke were also not significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Automated Open Field Analysis Track Plots. Animals were placed in an open field and allowed to explore and move around in the cage. Animal behavior and movement patterns were recorded and analyzed using Ethovision XT software. The software tracked the nose (turquoise), center-point (red) and tail base (purple) of each animal. Visual representation of locomotor activity of a representative pre-stroke (A) and representative post-stroke (B) animal are shown.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Total distance moved and the velocity following stroke. Animals were placed in an open field and allowed to freely move around. Ethovision XT software was used to determine the total distance moved by each animal in cm and their maximum velocity in cm/s. (A) Post-stroke animal exhibited a significant decrease in the total distance moved compared to pre-stroke. (B) The velocity at which the animals moved poststroke was significantly lower compared to prestroke. Note: *P < 0.05.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Counter clockwise (CCW) and Clockwise (CW) rotation frequency. Animals were placed in an open field and allowed to freely move around. The frequency of CCW and CW movement was recorded using Ethovision Xt software. (A) No significant difference was observed in CCW versus CW rotation frequency of the pre-stroke animals; they were able to move in either direction. (B) CCW rotation was significantly higher post-stroke compared to CW rotation frequency. Note: *P < 0.05.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Frequency of nose point detected at water spout and feeder tray. To assess eating and drinking behavior, the presence of the animals’ nose at either the water spout or the feeder tray was recorded. (A) Post-stroke animals were detected at the water spout significantly fewer times than pre-stroke. (B) Post-stroke animals were also detected at the feeder tray significantly fewer times than pre-stroke. Note: *P < 0.05.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Pre- and post-stroke frequencies of animals rearing up to the walls of the cage, and frequencies of animals changing directions relative to their distance moved (meander). (A) Post-stroke, the rearing frequencies were significantly lower than pre stroke. (B) Post-stroke animals exhibited a higher degree/cm of meander behavior. Note: *P < 0.05.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Pre- and post-stroke infarct volume. The presence of white, non-stained (infarcted) tissue in the right cortex and striatum confirmed successful ET-1 induced ischemia in all of the animals. (A) pre-stroke TTC image. (B, C, D) post-stroke TTC images of three animals. (D) Graph showing infarct volume of pre- and post-stroke animals. Note: *P < 0.05.
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