The grasping test: a simple behavioral method for objective quantitative assessment of peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat

Bertelli, Jayme Augusto; Mira, Jean‐Claude

doi:10.1016/0165-0270(94)00169-h

Cited by 157 publications

(160 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…According to findings of others analyzing the performance of ANGs and MVGs after reconstruction of 10‐mm MN gaps with the grasping test (Geuna et al., 2007), we confirmed that ANG reconstruction is more supportive than MVG reconstruction for functional recovery. Little undulation in the degree of motor function displayed in our grasping test results (e.g., ANG group between 9 and 10 weeks postsurgery; MVG group between 10 and 11 weeks postsurgery) very likely relate to a phenomenon also described before (Bertelli & Mira, 1995), the reduction in motivation to participate in the test over time. Nevertheless, only frequent testing at least once a week as in our study allows precise definition of the onset of motor skills recovery.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

“…Instead of measuring the grip force of unilateral treated rats (Papalia et al., 2003), our approach (i) reduced stress to the animals eventually induced by means of paw fixation of the uninjured side during the testing procedure (Bertelli & Mira, 1995; Wang, Spinner, et al., 2008) and (ii) minimized animal numbers by avoiding only unilateral treatment following still bilateral injury (Papalia et al., 2003; Sinis et al., 2005). Furthermore, it was less time consuming compared to formerly reported forelimb motion video analysis (Wang, Spinner, et al., 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although first described already 22 years ago (Bertelli & Mira, 1995), until today no reports exist on comprehensive evaluation of the different motor functions transmitted via the MN. Several functional evaluation techniques have been described in mostly independent use in literature (Bertelli & Mira, 1995; Galtrey & Fawcett, 2007; Montoya, Campbell‐Hope, Pemberton, & Dunnett, 1991; Wang, Spinner, Sorenson, & Windebank, 2008). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thirdly, we applied serial electrodiagnostic recordings of evoked compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), also commonly applied in the rat SN model (Korte, Schenk, Grothe, Tipold, & Haastert‐Talini, 2011; Navarro, 2016). We evaluated the reinnervation of the thenar muscle, which is together with all the finger flexors solely innervated by the MN (Bertelli & Mira, 1995). So far, only one report exists on serial evaluation of thenar muscle reinnervation (Wang, Sorenson, Spinner, & Windebank, 2008), while others report invasive endpoint recordings from the finger flexors (Sinis et al., 2005; Werdin et al., 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reflex‐based grasping, skilled forelimb reaching, and electrodiagnostic evaluation for comprehensive analysis of functional recovery—The 7‐mm rat median nerve gap repair model revisited

2017

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IntroductionThe rat median nerve injury and repair model gets increasingly important for research on novel bioartificial nerve grafts. It allows follow‐up evaluation of the recovery of the forepaw functional ability with several sensitive techniques. The reflex‐based grasping test, the skilled forelimb reaching staircase test, as well as electrodiagnostic recordings have been described useful in this context. Currently, no standard values exist, however, for comparison or comprehensive correlation of results obtained in each of the three methods after nerve gap repair in adult rats.MethodsHere, we bilaterally reconstructed 7‐mm median nerve gaps with autologous nerve grafts (ANG) or autologous muscle‐in‐vein grafts (MVG), respectively. During 8 and 12 weeks of observation, functional recovery of each paw was separately monitored using the grasping test (weekly), the staircase test, and noninvasive electrophysiological recordings from the thenar muscles (both every 4 weeks). Evaluation was completed by histomorphometrical analyses at 8 and 12 weeks postsurgery.ResultsThe comprehensive evaluation detected a significant difference in the recovery of forepaw functional motor ability between the ANG and MVG groups. The correlation between the different functional tests evaluated precisely displayed the recovery of distinct levels of forepaw functional ability over time.ConclusionThus, this multimodal evaluation model represents a valuable preclinical model for peripheral nerve reconstruction approaches.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Reflex‐based grasping, skilled forelimb reaching, and electrodiagnostic evaluation for comprehensive analysis of functional recovery—The 7‐mm rat median nerve gap repair model revisited

2017

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“…All rats were submitted to a grasping test for functional evaluation, as classically described (5). For the test, each rat was elevated by the tail and stimulated to grab a metal hook that comprised the apex of a metal pyramidal frame.…”

Section: Functional Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of neurotrophic factor, MDP, on rats’ nerve regeneration

Fornazari

Rezende

Mattar

et al. 2011

Braz J Med Biol Res

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Microscopic anatomy of brachial plexus branches in Wistar rats

Santos

Suaid

Fazan

et al. 2007

The Anatomical Record

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In the present study, we analyze the morphology and morphometry of the lateral proper digital nerve of the third finger, and of the proximal and distal segments of the ulnar, median, and radial nerves, in Wistar rats 4 or 7 weeks old. The fascicular area and diameter were generally significantly greater in the proximal compared to distal segments and tended to be larger in 7-week-old compared to 4-week-old rats (e.g., median nerve area of 0.13 mm 2 for the proximal and 0.07 mm 2 for distal segments in 4-weekold rats, and 0.17 and 0.10 mm 2 , respectively, for the proximal and distal segments of 7-week-old rats). The number of fascicles was significantly greater while the number of myelinated fibers was significantly less in the distal segments (e.g., 1,359 and 509 myelinated fibers, respectively, in the proximal and distal segments of the radial nerve 4-week-old rats). There was no significant difference in these parameters between the two age groups. The diameter of the myelinated fibers and their respective axons increased from 4 to 7 weeks of age (e.g., myelinated fiber diameter of 4.10 mm in 4-week-old animals and 4.7 mm in the ulnar nerve proximal segment of 7-week-old rats). The g-ratio regression line (axon diameter vs. fiber diameter quotient) was outlined for all the nerves studied here. Differences in myelinated fiber density were detected between the segments of the radial nerve, accompanying the number of myelinated fibers. Detailed knowledge of the microscopic anatomy of rat forelimb nerves provides control data for comparison with studies of experimentally induced neuropathies, which can shed more light on human neuropathies. Anat Rec, 290:477-485, 2007. 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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The grasping test: a simple behavioral method for objective quantitative assessment of peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat

Cited by 157 publications

References 8 publications

Reflex‐based grasping, skilled forelimb reaching, and electrodiagnostic evaluation for comprehensive analysis of functional recovery—The 7‐mm rat median nerve gap repair model revisited

Reflex‐based grasping, skilled forelimb reaching, and electrodiagnostic evaluation for comprehensive analysis of functional recovery—The 7‐mm rat median nerve gap repair model revisited

Effect of neurotrophic factor, MDP, on rats’ nerve regeneration

Microscopic anatomy of brachial plexus branches in Wistar rats

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