Object
The purpose of this study was to develop a new rat model for surgical brain injury with motor weakness and to find an adequate
behavior test for the application of the model.
Methods
Thirty rats were divided into three groups: craniectomy (n = 10), durotomy (n = 10), and corticectomy (n = 10) groups. The coordinates of the three points from the bregma (coordinate A = +4,+1, B = −2,+1, and C = +4,+6). We evaluated right limb motor performance by the modified limb placement test and the cylinder test.
Conclusion
Persistent motor weakness was observed for 2 months in the corticectomy group by the limb placement test, whereas the cylinder
test could not detect the weakness. We established a reproducible and persistent rat brain injury model and found that the
modified limb placement test is sensitive enough to evaluate residual subtle weakness in this model.
Keywords Corticectomy - Motor cortex - Motor weakness - Limb placement test - Functional recovery - Rat