A simple method to measure stride length as an index of nigrostriatal dysfunction in mice

1. J Neurosci Methods. 2002 Jan 30;113(2):123-30. doi:
10.1016/s0165-0270(01)00485-x.

A simple method to measure stride length as an index of nigrostriatal
dysfunction in mice.

Fernagut PO(1), Diguet E, Labattu B, Tison F.

Author information:
(1)Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie, UMR-CNRS 5543, Bat 2a, Zone Nord, Université
Victor Ségalen Bordeaux 2, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, Cedex, France.

Reduced stride length characterizes Parkinsonian gait. We aimed to demonstrate
that it could be measured simply and reliably in mice by pawprints and used as
an index of basal ganglia dysfunction. In C57BL/6 mice, stride length
measurements proved to be consistent across measurements and experimenters. It
was slightly lower in the hindlimbs and was correlated to femur size and animal
velocity. Dopamine depletion by reserpine and striatal dopamine receptor
blockade by haloperidol resulted in reduced mean stride length in four limbs.
Significant forelimb/hindlimb difference was also observed both in mice with
3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced striatal lesions and in those with
MPTP-induced nigral cell loss. Reduction of hindlimb stride length was
correlated significantly with the magnitude of cell loss, either in the
substantia nigra or in the lateral mid-striatum. Stride length is, therefore, a
simple method to obtain an index of motor disorders due to basal ganglia
dysfunction in mice.

DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0270(01)00485-x
PMID: 11772434 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus