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Behavioral Testing in Rodent Models of Stroke, Part II

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Rodent Models of Stroke

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 120))

Abstract

The critical test of a therapeutic intervention is whether it affects clinically relevant outcomes. Therefore, a vital part of preclinical stroke research includes the use of reliable tests of functional outcome. This chapter presents select behavioral tests commonly used for evaluating somatosensory, locomotor, and skilled and cognitive functions in rodent models of stroke. The methods described emphasize the value of careful quantitative and qualitative assessment of acute and long-term behavioral deficits. Some of the protocols presented allow us to determine whether a preclinical treatment restores the original function or simply enhances performance by improving the learning of alternative strategies. Recommendations are given to assist the reader in the choice of individual tests to develop a test battery for the assessment of chronic deficits and functional improvements in rodent models of experimental stroke.

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Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges support by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, Canada, T1K 3M4

    Gerlinde A. S. Metz

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  1. Gerlinde A. S. Metz
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Correspondence to Gerlinde A. S. Metz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Neurology and Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Ulrich Dirnagl

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Metz, G.A.S. (2016). Behavioral Testing in Rodent Models of Stroke, Part II. In: Dirnagl, U. (eds) Rodent Models of Stroke. Neuromethods, vol 120. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-5620-3_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-5620-3_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-5618-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-5620-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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