Cerebral palsy (CP) causes sensorimotor disabilities due to injury to the developing brain. Experimental models do not always induce the CP phenotype completely. Early neurological assessment predicts future impairments and is valuable during development. Using a rodent model characterized by brain injury caused by maternal inflammation and perinatal anoxia, and sensorimotor restriction (experimental cerebral palsy [ECP]), we describe early neurodevelopmental delays by assessing reflexes in a stage corresponding to the brain development of term infants (Postnatal Day [P] 8 in rats). Pregnant Wistar rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 200 μg/kg) (n = 6) or saline (n = 4) on Embryonic Days 18/19. Following delivery, 87 male and female pups were used. At P0, injured animals were exposed to anoxia for 20 0 . From P2 to P21, ECP rats were subjected to hindlimb movement restriction for 16 h/ day. ECP group had impaired righting reflex and negative geotaxis and, interestingly, performed home bedding test better than controls. From P7, ECP animals showed decreased body weight compared with controls. Overall, data provide evidence showing that this CP model based on the association of brain damage followed by sensorimotor restriction mimics CP delays and highlights the valuable information given by early neurological assessment during the establishment of the CP phenotype.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.