Post-Stroke Sensorimotor Function Testing Services

Depending on the location and extent of the lesion, stroke usually affects motor control on one side of the body, such as impaired balance. In addition, sensory impairment is present in at least 50% of stroke survivors, including tactile and proprioceptive impairment. Therefore, sensorimotor function testing is critical and essential in the overall study of stroke, and it is an ideal way to study stroke recovery. With this in mind, Ace Neuroscience has established well-established test protocols for sensory-motor function in stroke.

Post-Stroke Neurological Scores & Limb Placing Testing

For neurological scoring and limb placement tests, Ace Neuroscience has extensive experience and professional scientists to avoid subjectivity and randomness.

• The neurological score measures reflexes to various stimuli, balance, and simple motor functions in experimental animals and gives an overall behavioral impairment score.

• The advantage is that the animals can be tested immediately after the procedure.
• The disadvantage is that subjective scoring may give false positive results and summing scores from different subtests may obscure important results

• Limb placing testing assesses the sensorimotor integration of forelimb and hindlimb responses to tactile and proprioceptive stimuli. 

• The severity of motor impairment is dependent on the size and location of the lesion, which may be temporary or long-lasting.

Post-Stroke Rotational Asymmetries Testing

Rotational asymmetries test the significant ipsilateral circulatory behavior induced by unilateral focal ischemia in the middle cerebral artery region in rodents. Bowl testing is a common measure of rotational asymmetry either by recording clockwise and counterclockwise rotations to measure rotational asymmetry during testing or by dividing the difference between clockwise and counterclockwise rotations with reference to the total number of rotations to calculate a laterality index. Ace Neuroscience uses novel video tracking systems that optimize the traditional bowl testing protocol to make the test more scientific and accurate.

Post-Stroke Sensorimotor Testing

Ace Neuroscience offers different sensorimotor testing protocols.

• Rotation is one of the most commonly used methods to assess sensorimotor coordination and balance in rodent models of stroke. Its equipment is simple and the testing process is easy to operate. However, it cannot distinguish between spontaneous recovery or treatment-induced recovery.
• The cylinder test is based on the rodent's own exploratory activity in a clear Plexiglas cylinder. However, the disadvantage of this test is that too frequent testing can lead to habituation of the experimental animal and less tendency to rear and explore the cylinder.
• The corner test is used to assess persistent asymmetry in turn preference after focal ischemia. It is generally considered to be very sensitive in distinguishing sham from stroke animals up to 90 d post-stroke.

We also offer other sensorimotor function related testing protocols, such as adhesive removal tests. If you would like to learn more about our services, please feel free to contact us.

1. Balkaya, M. G., et al., Behavioral outcome measures to improve experimental stroke research. Behav Brain Res, 2018. 352: p. 161-171.