A Sensitive and Reliable Locomotor Rating Scale for Open Field Testing in Rats

Abstract

Behavioral assessment after spinal cord contusion has long focused on open field locomotion using modifications of a rating scale developed by Tarlov and Klinger (1954). However, on-going modifications by several groups have made interlaboratory comparison of locomotor outcome measures difficult. The purpose of the present study was to develop an efficient, expanded, and unambiguous locomotor rating scale to standardize locomotor outcome measures across laboratories. Adult rats (n = 85) were contused at T7-9 cord level with an electromagnetic or weight drop device. Locomotor behavior was evaluated before injury, on the first or second postoperative day, and then for up to 10 weeks. Scoring categories and attributes were identified, operationally defined, and ranked based on the observed sequence of locomotor recovery patterns. These categories formed the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Rating Scale. The data indicate that the BBB scale is a valid and predictive measure of locomotor recovery able to distinguish behavioral outcomes due to different injuries and to predict anatomical alterations at the lesion center. Interrater reliability tests indicate that examiners with widely varying behavioral testing experience can apply the scale consistently and obtain similar scores. The BBB Locomotor Rating Scale offers investigators a more discriminating measure of behavioral outcome to evaluate treatments after spinal cord injury.

Neurotrophin‐3 released from implant of tissue‐engineered fibroin scaffolds inhibits inflammation, enhances nerve fiber regeneration, and improves motor function in canine spinal cord injury

“…The cylinder test has provided a way to evaluate a rodent's spontaneous forelimb use and has been used in a number of motor system injury models of stroke 46. Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB) is an effective measure of locomotor functional recovery to predict anatomical variations at the lesion center for spinal cord injury, and more widely used in rats 47. In canines, Olby score is routinely used for endpoint measurements, kinematic measurements and kinetic measurements 21.…”

A Modular Assembly of Spinal Cord–Like Tissue Allows Targeted Tissue Repair in the Transected Spinal Cord

“…Assessment of Locomotor Performance : Hind limb function of the rats was assessed weekly after surgery, using the BBB open‐field locomotor test,35 the glass cube locomotor function observation (the rat was put in a glass cube with 30 cm in height), and the inclined‐grid climbing test 36. BBB test was used to quantitatively evaluate the voluntary movements and the body weight support capability ( n = 8 in the SCLT, SF, and SCI groups, respectively).…”

Olfactory ensheathing cells, olfactory nerve fibroblasts and biomatrices to promote long-distance axon regrowth and functional recovery in the dorsally hemisected adult rat spinal cord

“…Next, a dorsal hemisection of the spinal cord was performed at T11/T12, and animals were randomly divided into two groups; one group (n = 10) received OEC/ONF-biomatrix transplants into the lesion site and OEC/ONF suspensions into the rostral and caudal cord stumps, and the other group (n = 8) did not receive transplants into the lesion site, but received injections of culture medium into the rostral and caudal host stumps. After this, the animals were tested behaviorally using the Basso-BeattieBresnahan locomotor rating scale (Basso et al, 1995) and the CatWalk gait analysis for 9 weeks. In order to label the CS tract, an additional surgery was performed at 6 weeks after injury.…”

“…This locomotor test assesses locomotor performance of the hind limbs via a score that ranges from 0 to 21 (Basso et al, 1995). The BBB test was performed according to the recommendations with an observation time of approximately 4 min and by two investigators which were blind to the treatment.…”

“…However, most of the animals in both groups remained at a BBB score of 11 from the third week to the ninth week. A BBB score of 11 reflects frequent to consistent weight supported plantar stepping without coordination (Basso et al, 1995).…”