Name: paw-print analysis of contrast-enhanced recordings (prancer): a low-cost, open-access automated gait analysis system for assessing motor deficits
Uploaded: 2019-08-12T13:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 6 min 25 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings PrAnCER: A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the Carney Institute for Brain Science at Brown University.

All procedures were in accordance with Brown University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines.
1. Gait analysis apparatus
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the gait analysis walkway consisting of a clear plexiglass enclosed walkway (36&#8221; L x 3&#8221; W x 4.5&#8221; H) placed on a clear plexiglass floor (Figure 2A). Make the plexiglass floor semitransparent by covering it with a piece of 16 LB cotton fiber drafting vellum cut to the same width as the walkway.&#160; 
	NOTE: There are other methods for making the floor semitransparent.</li>
	<li>Place a camera with a frame rate of at least 30 frames per second (fps) directly below the walkway to capture the middle of the track (Figure 2B).</li>
	<li>Secure a strip of 12 V LED lights with 18 LEDs/foot approximately 2 inches away from and 1 inch above the floor of the walkway to illuminate the track.</li>
</ol>
2. Animal preparation
<ol>
	<li>Allow the animals to acclimate to the vivarium for at least 1 week prior to handling. Handle the rats for at least 5 days prior to beginning experiment. This study used 8 male Long Evans rats approximately 3 months old.</li>
	<li>Habituate&#160;the animals to the testing room and gait walkway with the room lights turned off
	<ol>
		<li>Place the rat&#8217;s home cage at the surface level at the end of the gait walkway to serve as a goal box. Note that if the home cage is deep, aged or locomotor-impaired rats may benefit from a ramp or step to provide easier access to the home cage.</li>
		<li>Allow the rat to walk from the experimenter&#8217;s hand down the length of the walkway to reach its home cage.</li>
		<li>Rats will often stop at the end of the walkway to look around before jumping down into the home cage. If a rat takes longer than 1 min to exit the walkway, encourage it to enter its home cage with a gentle push.</li>
		<li>If the rat turns around, use a small piece of plexiglass to block the &#8220;start&#8221; end of the walkway. Repeat for a total of 3 runs.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Habituate for at least 2 days or until the rats are comfortable crossing the walkway at a steady pace without freezing.</li>
</ol>
3. Gait testing procedure
<ol>
	<li>Adjust the settings on the webcam software to achieve the clearest picture of the paw prints. Turn off room lights for all gait testing.</li>
	<li>Record each run separately and label appropriately for use with the automated analysis program.</li>
	<li>Ensure there are no spots or debris on the vellum. Begin recording a few seconds before the rat enters the walkway and stop once the rat exits the walkway and enters its home cage.</li>
	<li>Continue until either three acceptable runs are completed or 10 min has elapsed.</li>
	<li>Wipe down the walkway with ethanol in between each rat and replace the vellum as needed. 
	NOTE: An acceptable trial is defined as one in which the animal walks consistently and without pause for the first 4 steps of the run. If this is hard to achieve, adjust the criteria to include trials in which there are 4 consecutive steps at any point in the run that occur without pauses or abrupt acceleration.</li>
</ol>
4. PrAnCER automated analysis
<ol>
	<li>Put all videos to be analyzed in a folder.</li>
	<li>Launch PrAnCER by running the Python script PrAnCER. PrAnCER will analyze the videos based on the steps illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4.</li>
	<li>In the pop-up menu, select the specified folder by pressing the Choose a folder button. Select custom options for analysis if desired. Detailed descriptions of each parameter can be found by clicking the question mark next to them. Click Continue when finished.</li>
	<li>Define a region of interest (ROI) on the image of the walkway that appears. To do this, left click to define a top edge and right click to define a bottom edge. If the box that appears is correct, press N to continue. If not, press Z to undo. Once N is pressed, the program will run automatically.</li>
	<li>After PrAnCER is complete, terminate the program by pressing Enter in the terminal.</li>
	<li>To manually review the results&#160;output by PrAnCER, run&#160;the Python script GaitEditorGUI and select&#160;the appropriate .mp4 file for each video. If needed, correct any mis-identified or merged prints.</li>
	<li>To extract spatial and temporal gait parameters, run the Python script ParameterAnalyzer. Choose the number of hind prints to analyze and the folder of videos to analyze, then click Continue. This will output a .csv file for each video containing a number of common gait parameters, which are described in Table 2 and illustrated in Figure 5. 
	NOTE: The full scripts, as well as instructions for reading and analyzing data, are available at the author&#8217;s GitHub (www.github.com/hayleybounds). We implemented this algorithm using the free, open-source Python library OpenCV21. Also included on the GitHub are instructions for building our gait analysis walkway.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

In this study, we tested PrAnCER, a new automated gait analysis system that utilizes contrast-enhanced videos produced using a translucent floor to obscure the animal&#8217;s body and to yield clearly defined paw prints for simple automated detection. PrAnCER accurately identifies paw prints and is sensitive to changes in motor function. We used PrAnCER to assess gait alterations in an acute haloperidol model of PD. Although haloperidol did not induce the expected motor deficits of a robust PD model, we were nonetheless able to demonstrate that PrAnCER can accurately detect changes in gait patterns. Finally, we quantified the accuracy of PrAnCER and demonstrated that its measurement of key gait parameters is comparable to that of manual scoring.
In both haloperidol treated conditions, we observed a high incidence of freezing behavior (akinesia) followed by an escape response of running or bounding forward. While akinesia has been observed at a similar dose (0.25 mg/kg) in several studies16,23, this bounding behavior is not consistent with typical Parkinsonian symptoms3,14,19,24. Interestingly, we found that high dose haloperidol treatment resulted in significantly increased stride length. This finding was initially surprising because other haloperidol models of PD have shown a decrease in stride length3,19. However, they make sense in light of the &#8216;bracing-escape&#8217; behavior pattern described by De Ryck et al. (1980), who reported that rats run to escape after akinetic periods, and that high speed gaits such as running and bounding are associated with increased stride length4,25 (Figure 8C). High dose treatment also resulted in significantly increased maximum contact area of the hind paws. Low dose haloperidol treatment resulted in more characteristic PD gait alterations including a significant increase in stance duration and maximum contact area (Figure 8A-B). These results may be a reflection of the muscle rigidity associated with haloperidol-induced akinesia.
Despite the unusual bracing-escape behavior, we were able to demonstrate that PrAnCER can indeed detect alterations in gait. We showed that in the correct lighting conditions, a translucent floor can produce a highly contrasted and detailed image of the paws. In the present study, we made a transparent floor translucent by covering it with vellum. The same effect could be achieved by placing another translucent covering, such as Mylar, over a transparent floor. Alternatively, the floor itself could be translucent by using, for example, frosted plexiglass. The translucent floor and simple plexiglass walkway are inexpensive and can be constructed in an afternoon. Our edge-detection-based analysis system is resilient to many variations in the apparatus and offers adjustable thresholds to adapt the system to different setups, disease models, or smaller animals such as mice.
Some gait parameter analyses were altered from conventional formulas because of aspects of the walkway. For example, our method of calculating speed differs from other gait studies; the translucent floor combined with LED lighting obscures the view of the body, so it is not possible to track body position to calculate speed as is usually done. For this study, speed was calculated by dividing the distance travelled between two contacts of the same paw by the time from first contact to second contact. Of course, other formulas could be used. For example, if an overall measure of speed is needed, one could divide the distance from the average of forepaw locations at the beginning and end of the run by the duration of the run.
Our analysis confirms that, while not identical to manual scoring, our automated system performs with high accuracy and generates reliable measures of gait. The apparatus described here was optimized for a simple, low-cost analysis of motor function. However, several alterations could be made that would expand the usefulness of PrAnCER. One limitation of our system is that the semitransparent floor, while allowing excellent paw detection, obscures the animals&#8217; body axis. Although we have not found it necessary, this could be addressed by adding an overhead camera to the system. Another improvement would be the use of a video camera with a higher frame rate. While we were able to obtain consistent estimates of temporal parameters, the accuracy of these measures is compromised at frame rates below 100 fps8. Adding a high-speed video camera would require no alteration of the analysis software while increasing the accuracy and precision of temporal measures. Additionally, several other gait systems use a mirror to simultaneously record the lateral and ventral views of the rat2,8,13. Adding this feature to our apparatus would permit more accurate quantification of speed and better observation of behavior during runs.
In this study, we showed that the use of a semitransparent floor effectively isolates paw prints by blocking the visibility of objects not in contact with the walkway floor. We developed an automated scoring system that takes advantage of this high contrast paw print to accurately identify paws. We showed that this system, PrAnCER, quantified gait parameters with an accuracy comparable to commercial systems. We determined that administration of a high dose of haloperidol increased stride length and maximum contact area compared to saline. While this change is the opposite of what we expected, further review of existing literature indicates that it is likely part of the escape behavior observed in response to acute administration of haloperidol. Low dose haloperidol treatment resulted in more typical PD symptoms such as increased stance duration and maximum contact area. We conclude that while acute high dose haloperidol administration is a poor model to study gait impairments associated with PD, our study nonetheless demonstrated the ability of PrAnCER to accurately detect changes in motor function. In the future, we hope to further validate PrAnCER by studying the locomotor changes in other disease models.

Rodents are commonly used as models to study a wide range of diseases and injuries including arthritis1, Parkinson&#8217;s Disease (PD)2,3, neuromuscular disorders4,5, hydrocephalus6, and spinal cord injury7. In these conditions, symptoms such as pain, balance, and motor function can be measured by studying the animals&#8217; gait patterns. These patterns are quantified using a set of spatiotemporal gait parameters that summarize the location and timing of paw prints as well as the area of paw contact on the ground.
Although many options for gait analysis exist, current systems have several drawbacks. In traditional ink and paper testing, an animal&#8217;s paws are coated with ink before it walks across a sheet of white paper (Figure 1A). The resulting paw prints can then be measured for stride length and stance width, but key temporal gait parameters such as speed or step duration cannot be assessed. Modern video-based systems are more reliable, but video analysis requires laborious frame-by-frame scoring unless a suitable automated system is used8. There are many commercial automated scoring systems currently available, but these systems can be prohibitively expensive. Additionally, these systems rely on clear flooring or in some cases, treadmills, both of which alter natural movement. Treadmills have been shown to mask motor deficits in some disease models9, while clear flooring (Figure 1B) causes mice to spend more time on the perimeter of an open field, indicating increased anxiety10. Ideally, a gait analysis apparatus would not rely on either, producing the most natural movement patterns with the least stress to the animal.
Available open-source and commercial options use a variety of methods to overcome the difficulty of isolating a footprint from the animal&#8217;s body despite variable lighting conditions, animal color, and print shapes. Some enhance the contrast of contacting paws using surfaces that release light in response to pressure7,11,12, but these are expensive and technically difficult to construct. Other systems utilize multiple view angles which permit observation of whole-body coordination8,13. While these options offer advantages for measuring additional motor parameters beyond gait, they are unnecessarily complex for simple gait analysis. Further, all of these techniques rely on clear flooring, which alters natural behavior.
PrAnCER is based on what we call Contrast-Enhanced Recordings, which use a combination of lighting and a semitransparent floor to enhance the detection of prints. When viewed from below, this creates a high-contrast image (paw print) while obscuring the view of objects not in contact with the surface (the animal&#8217;s body) (Figure 1D). When viewed from above, the floor appears opaque. The resulting salience of the paws in our method permits accurate identification of a variety of gait and locomotor characteristics by our newly developed automated system. In the present study, we describe the apparatus, our gait analysis protocol, and our automated scoring system, PrAnCER. Our apparatus is easily assembled and PrAnCER can be used to assess motor deficits in a wide range of disease and injury models.
To demonstrate that PrAnCER can be used to detect abnormal gait patterns, we used a haloperidol model of PD, a simple model for transient induction of locomotor changes14. Haloperidol is a dopamine receptor antagonist widely used as an antipsychotic1. It affects motor systems by altering dopamine signaling in the striatum, an important component of the motor pathway in the basal ganglia14. Even a single dose of haloperidol rapidly reduces extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum, causing Parkinsonian-like motor defecits15. The behavioral effects are muscular rigidity, akinesia, and catalepsy, which is defined as an inability to return to a normal posture after being placed in an unusual position11,16. Acute doses of haloperidol cause locomotor deficits identifiable in the rotarod test of motor function17. We reasoned that haloperidol-mediated locomotor impairments would also be evident in a number of characteristics accessible to automated gait analysis.
Although responses to haloperidol vary widely across studies, cataleptic effects of haloperidol emerge at doses of 0.5 mg/kg and higher, while reduced responsiveness and motor impairment is detectable at lower doses (0.1 - 0.3 mg/kg)16,17. In an effort to avoid the cataleptic effects of haloperidol, we decided to test two doses of haloperidol: a high dose (0.30 mg/kg) and a low dose (0.15 mg/kg). As shown in Table 1, Experiment 1 examined the effects of high dose haloperidol, while Experiment 2 tested the effects of low dose haloperidol. We used a within-subject design in which every rat was tested in the high dose, low dose, and control (saline) conditions. The order of condition was counterbalanced across rats. We predicted that acute administration of haloperidol would cause gait impairments similar to those found in other models of PD such as decreased speed, decreased stride length, and longer stance duration3,14,18,19. We observed behavioral changes including akinesia following haloperidol administration at both dosages. In the low dose condition, rats had significantly increased stance duration and hind paw contact area, as expected. These gait changes are comparable to the slow, shuffling steps common among PD patients2,20. In the high dose condition, however, we saw an increase in stride length as well as an increase in paw contact area. Although the increase in stride length was unexpected, further review of the literature indicated that it is likely part of a haloperidol-induced bracing-escape response. We conclude that PrAnCER is indeed capable of detecting Parkinsonian-like changes in rodent gait consistent with the use of neuroleptics.

<table><tbody><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Gait Walkway Apparatus&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1/4&quot; clear plexiglass</td><td>RISD 3D Store, Providence, RI</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $50&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;1 piece cut to 3 1/2&quot; W x 36&quot; L; 2 pieces cut to 4 1/2&quot; W x 36&quot; L &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Note: We made our walkway 36&quot; long based off of an exisiting plexiglass table we had in house, it could easily be made longer if desired.</td></tr><tr><td>1/4&quot; clear plexiglass</td><td>RISD 3D Store, Providence, RI</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $10&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;4 pieces, cut to 1&quot; W by 4&quot; L &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br/&gt; These will be used to keep the tunnel in place</td></tr><tr><td>10 series 80/20 framing pieces, 1&quot; x 1&quot; T-Slotted Profile</td><td>80/20 Inc.</td><td>1010-S</td><td>Approximate Price: $16&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;2 pieces cut to 36&quot; L&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>12V Flexible LED Strip Lights, 16.4ft/5m LED Light Strips, Daylight White</td><td>Amazon</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $10</td></tr><tr><td>Bostik Blu-Tack Adhesive</td><td>Amazon</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $8</td></tr><tr><td>Clearprint 1000H drafting vellum, 16 LB cotton fiber</td><td>Dick Blick Art Supplies</td><td>11101-1046</td><td>Approximate Price: $50&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Cut to 4&quot; W x 36&quot; L &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Note: This particular vellum comes as a roll; we kept it on the roll and cut it to 4&quot; W.&lt;br/&gt; Mylar or frosted plexiglass could also be used in place of the vellum, but the camera software detection settings would need to be adjusted.</td></tr><tr><td>Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, 1080p</td><td>Amazon</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $50</td></tr><tr><td>Mobile Laptop Computer Desk Cart Height-Adjustable</td><td>Amazon</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $40&lt;br/&gt; Small table to place the animals&#039; home cage on at the end of the walkway.</td></tr><tr><td>Plastic ramp</td><td>Pets Warehouse</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $6&lt;br/&gt; Optional: Ramp to assist the animals descend into home cage</td></tr><tr><td>RetiCAM Tabletop Tripod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head</td><td>Amazon</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $30</td></tr><tr><td>SCIGRIP #16 solvent cement for acrylic - clear, medium bodied</td><td>Amazon</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $8</td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Plexiglass table&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $</td></tr><tr><td>15 series 80/20 framing pieces, 1.5&quot; x 1.5&quot; T-Slotted Profile</td><td>80/20 Inc.</td><td>1515</td><td>Approximate Price: $110&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;6 pieces cut to 36&quot; L, 2 pieces cut to 12&quot; With both ends tapped with standard 5/16-18 threads &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br/&gt; Framing for the plexiglass table top and table legs</td></tr><tr><td>15 series 3 Way - Light Squared Corner Connector</td><td>80/20 Inc.</td><td>14177</td><td>Approximate Price: $24&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;4 connectors &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br/&gt; To connect the table top and legs</td></tr><tr><td>1/4&quot; clear plexiglass sheet</td><td>RISD 3D Store, Providence, RI</td><td></td><td>Approximate Price: $50&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Cut at 15&quot; W x 39&quot; L&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>5/16-18 x 1&quot; Button Head Socket Cap Screw</td><td>80/20 Inc.</td><td>3118</td><td>Approximate Price: $5&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Quantity = 12&lt;/strong&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Deluxe Leveling Feet, 5/16-18 x 2&quot;</td><td>80/20 Inc.</td><td>2194</td><td>Approximate Price: $50&lt;br/&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Quantity = 4 &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br/&gt; For table legs</td></tr><tr><td>&amp;ldquo;T&amp;rdquo; Handle Ball End Hex Wrench, 3/16&quot;</td><td>80/20 Inc.</td><td>6000</td><td>Approximate Price: $5</td></tr></tbody></table>

paw-print analysis of contrast-enhanced recordings (prancer): a low-cost, open-access automated gait analysis system for assessing motor deficits

Gait analysis is used to quantify changes in motor function in many rodent models of disease. Despite the importance of assessing gait and motor function in many areas of research, the available commercial options have several limitations such as high cost and lack of accessible, open code. To address these issues, we developed PrAnCER, Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings, for automated quantification of gait. The contrast-enhanced recordings are produced by using a translucent floor that obscures objects not in contact with the surface, effectively isolating the rat&#8217;s paw prints as it walks. Using these videos, our simple software program reliably measures a variety of spatiotemporal gait parameters. To demonstrate that PrAnCER can accurately detect changes in motor function, we employed a haloperidol model of Parkinson&#8217;s disease (PD). We tested rats at two doses of haloperidol: high dose (0.30 mg/kg) and low dose (0.15 mg/kg). Haloperidol significantly increased stance duration and hind paw contact area in the low dose condition, as might be expected in a PD model. In the high dose condition, we found a similar increase in contact area but also an unexpected increase in stride length. With further research, we found that this increased stride length is consistent with the bracing-escape phenomenon commonly observed at higher doses of haloperidol. Thus, PrAnCER was able to detect both expected and unexpected changes in rodent gait patterns. Additionally, we confirmed that PrAnCER is consistent and accurate when compared with manual scoring of gait parameters.

Haloperidol procedure
We developed this gait analysis system to compare gait parameters in control rats to those in experimental rats expected to show a variety of locomotor, gait, and balance impairments. We used a within-subject design in which every rat was tested in the saline, high dose haloperidol and low dose haloperidol conditions. Rats were separated into two groups (A and B) to allow counterbalancing; gait testing was counterbalanced for time of day and order of condition. Each test was separated by 48 h. Rats were lightly anesthetized with isoflurane before receiving intraperitoneal (IP) injections of either saline or haloperidol. Gait was tested 1 h post-injection, at which point the haloperidol should be at peak levels15,16,17.
Behavioral results
We observed prominent behavior changes in animals treated with haloperidol. In the high dose condition, five of the eight rats had periods of immobility at the start of the walkway, during which they were unresponsive to the experimenter touching them and resistant to being moved. In some cases, this state persisted for several minutes until the rat was removed from the walkway. In other cases, the immobile rat would suddenly move rapidly or &#8220;bound&#8221; across the walkway and then return to the immobile state near the end. In the low dose condition, 3 of the 8 rats had similar periods of immobility. At this dosage, there was only one instance of bounding behavior. No bounding was observed when the animals were treated with saline.
We analyzed the effects of haloperidol on the following gait parameters: base of support, stride length, stride speed, stance duration, stance to swing ratio, maximum contact area, and interlimb distance. Because many gait parameters for front and hind limbs are identical and haloperidol generally has uniform impacts on all limbs, we calculated parameters for only the hind limbs and did not separate data for left and right limbs. For each rat, we calculated the mean of each gait parameter from all usable runs from each testing day. All parameters (other than speed variability) were calculated as the mean for the first 4 usable steps of a run. To assess whether each dosage of haloperidol significantly impacted gait, we used a paired sample t-test. In Experiment 1, there was a significant increase in stride length (Figure 6A; t(7) = -2.962, p = 0.021) and maximum contact area (Figure 6A; t(7) = -2.51, p = 0.04) in animals treated with high dose haloperidol. Base of support, speed, stance duration and stance to swing ratio were not significant. In Experiment 2, animals given low dose haloperidol showed a significant increase in stance duration (Figure 6B; t(7) = -2.444, p = 0.044) and maximum contact area (Figure 6B; t(7) = -3.085, p = 0.018) compared to the saline condition. No other gait parameters were significant. Additionally, there was a significant difference between the high dose and low dose haloperidol conditions in base of support (Figure 6C; t(7) =2.651, p = 0.033), maximum contact area (Figure 6C; t(7) = 4.635, p = 0.002) and interlimb distance (Figure 6C; t(7) = 3.098, p = 0.017).
Your location accuracy and errors in the automated system
To assess the accuracy of PrAnCER, we compared its automated analysis to the manual scoring of 21 randomly selected videos from a separate group of 6 control rats. For hand scoring purposes, the videos were converted into a sequence of images, which were then used to manually mark the locations of prints. For efficiency, we focused our analysis on spatial data measured from hind prints only. We extracted the mean stride length and BOS for each video and compared it to the automated values. While mean stride length was not significantly different between manual scoring and PrAnCER analysis (Figure 7B; t(20) = -0.01, p = 0.99), base of support was significant (Figure 7A; t(20) = -2.21, p = 0.038). Though the automated and manual scoring was generally well correlated, the automated system reported a 5% larger BOS on average. This difference may be due to variances in centroid selection rather than detection errors. For manual scoring, the print location was marked drawing an oval around the base of each hind print, as it would be difficult to manually replicate PrAnCER&#8217;s method of center of mass estimation. The clear trend was for PrAnCER to overestimate BOS, perhaps because some animals may splay their toes out in an asymmetric fashion, causing PrAnCER to observe more extreme centroids than manual scoring. Other systems have also noted significant increases in BOS between manual and automated scoring despite consistent stride length measures17. Considering the small differences observed and the consistency with other systems, we conclude that PrAnCER is a reliable measure of gait parameters.
It is important to note that all accuracy analysis occurred after manual correction of the automated output was performed using PrAnCER&#8217;s GUI. As in existing commercial systems, this step is necessary both for correcting errors in scoring and for eliminating runs that do not meet criteria22. We tuned PrAnCER to err on the side of false positives, as these are easier to correct post-hoc. We have never observed PrAnCER fail to detect a real print during manual correction of over 5 hundred videos. Other types of errors, however, were observed. These fell into 3 categories: false detections (detection of a non-print as a print), misclassifications (print mislabeled as front/hind or left/right), and false combinations (two prints incorrectly merged). These errors are easily corrected in the accompanying GUI, and typically occur in only a small percentage of videos filmed under normal conditions. Even with such corrections, PrAnCER markedly decreases the amount of manual labor involved in gait analysis. We estimate that for each video it takes approximately 3 min to run PrAnCER and correct any output errors (if necessary), while it would take nearly 10 min to manually score and analyze the same video.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig1v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Comparison of gait analysis methods. (A) The traditional ink and paper method produces imprecise prints of paw shape and location. (B) Video recording with a transparent floor gives a detailed view of the paw prints but contains many salient features from the rat&#8217;s body that complicates automated scoring. (C) Lightweight paper over a clear floor creates a noisy image and loses details. (D) The use of vellum to create a translucent floor produces highly detailed prints while visually eliminating the body. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig1v2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2. Schematic illustration of the gait walkway apparatus and video recording. (A) The rat walks through a clear walkway with a translucent floor to the home cage goal box while being recorded from below. In this case, the vellum covers a transparent floor to make it translucent. The walkway is illuminated by LED strips placed along its length at a level between the animal&#8217;s feet and body. (B) A screenshot of a video recording demonstrating the effects of the translucent floor. Two paws are clearly visible, but the rat&#8217;s body is essentially undetectable. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig3v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 3. Detection process for one frame of a paw print. (A) The original image is de-noised and then subjected to background subtraction (B). (C) An edge detection algorithm is applied and the results are converted to a series of X, Y coordinates called contours (D). (E) Contours are grouped by proximity and the convex hull (bounding box) of the group is taken to produce a single contour encompassing the print.&#160;<a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig3v2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig4.jpg" /> 
Figure 4. Conversion of individual detections into a classified print. (A) Paw prints are first identified in a set of frames. (B) Individual object detections are given a number that identifies them as a print, representing a single placement of one paw (C). (D) Finally, they are classified as left or right based on their location relative to the midline of the animal&#8217;s path, and front or hind based on their location relative to the previous paw prints. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig4large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 5" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig5.jpg" /> 
Figure 5. Illustration of gait parameters analyzed. (A) An example output showing the identification and location of paw prints. Original detected edges are shown in black. Final detected paws and approximate area are shown in colors that indicate paw classification. In this figure, yellow: front left, green: hind left, cyan: front right, and magenta: hind right. However, the colors can be changed in the Python script according to user preference. (B) A plot illustrating two major temporal parameters: the amount of time each paw is in contact with the ground (stance phase) and in the air (swing phase). Colored blocks indicate the stance phase and the white spaces indicate the swing phase. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig5large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 6" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig6.jpg" /> 
Figure 6. Effects of haloperidol on gait. (A) Results of Experiment 1: high dose haloperidol (HalH) significantly increased stride length and maximum contact area compared to the saline condition (Sal). (B) Experiment 2 resulted in more typical parkinsonian symptoms; low dose haloperidol (HalL) significantly increased stance duration and maximum contact area. (C) When comparing the haloperidol treated conditions from both experiments, high dose haloperidol increased base of support, maximum contact area and interlimb distance compared to the low dose condition. Data are means &#177; SEM, n =8. Paired samples t-test differences were as follows: # p &#60; 0.05, ## p &#60; 0.01. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig6large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 7" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig7v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 7. Accuracy of automated analysis. (A) The automated system significantly differs from manual scoring when measuring BOS, though this may be due to variations in manual centroid selection rather than detection errors. (B) The automated system is not significantly different from manual scoring for stride length. These accuracy results are consistent with those from other available systems. Data are means &#177; SEM, n = 21. Paired samples t-test differences were as follows: # p &#60; 0.05. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig7v2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 8" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig8v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 8. Comparison of temporal parameters. Temporal gait patterns for an animal treated with saline (A) and low dose haloperidol (B). (C) An illustration of the bracing-escape response from a rat given high dose haloperidol. As in Figure 5, colored blocks indicate when the paw was in contact with the ground (stance phase) and the white spaces indicate when the paw was in the air (swing phase). Abbreviations: FL, front left; HL, hind left; FR, front right; HR, hind right. <a href="https://www-jove-com.bdigitaluss.remotexs.co/files/ftp_upload/59596/59596fig8v2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td colspan="4">Experiment 1</td>
			<td colspan="4">Experiment 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td>Test 1</td>
			<td>Test 2</td>
			<td>Test 3</td>
			<td>Test 4</td>
			<td>Test 5</td>
			<td>Test 6</td>
			<td>Test 7</td>
			<td>Test 8</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Group A</td>
			<td>HalH</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>HalH</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>HalL</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>HalL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Group B</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>HalH</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>HalH</td>
			<td>HalL</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
			<td>HalL</td>
			<td>Sal</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 1. Experimental design. This table illustrates the experimental design used in this study. We used a within-subject design in which every rat was tested in the high dose haloperidol (HalH), low dose haloperidol (HalL) and saline (Sal) conditions. Rats were divided into two groups; testing was counterbalanced for time of day and order of condition.
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Parameter</td>
			<td>Definition</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stride Length</td>
			<td>Distance between successive contacts of the same paw</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Step Length</td>
			<td>Distance between successive contacts of contralateral front or hind paws along the axis of the direction of motion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Base of Support (BOS)</td>
			<td>Distance between successive contralateral front or hind paws perpendicular to axis of the direction of motion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Maximum Contact Area</td>
			<td>The maximum detected area of a hind print</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Interlimb distance</td>
			<td>Distance between ipsilateral front and hind paws</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stance Duration</td>
			<td>The length of time a paw was in contact with the ground</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swing Duration</td>
			<td>The length of time a paw was not on the ground</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stance to Swing Ratio (SSR)</td>
			<td>Stance duration/swing duration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Discrete Speed</td>
			<td>Stride length/(stance duration + swing duration) for a paw</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Average Speed</td>
			<td>Average of discrete speeds in the period used in analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Speed Variability</td>
			<td>Percent change in discrete speeds during a run</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Run Speed</td>
			<td>Time to cross the tunnel/length of tunnel</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 2. Description of gait parameters. This table describes the most commonly used gait parameters; those used in this study are indicated in bold.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings PrAnCER: A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits at JoVE.com

Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings PrAnCER: A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits

We describe a novel gait analysis system, Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings (PrAnCER), an open-access automated system for the quantification of gait characteristics in rats that utilizes a novel semitransparent floor to automatically quantify gait. This system was validated using the haloperidol model of Parkinson&#8217;s Disease.

Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings (PrAnCER): A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits

Gait analysis is used to quantify changes in motor function in many rodent models of disease. Despite the importance of assessing gait and motor function ...

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Universidad San Sebastian

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

8.4K Views.  Brown University. We describe a novel gait analysis system, Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings (PrAnCER), an open-access automated system for the quantification of gait characteristics in rats that utilizes a novel semitransparent floor to automatically quantify gait. This system was validated using the haloperidol model of Parkinson’s Disease.

Video: Paw-Print Analysis of Contrast-Enhanced Recordings PrAnCER: A Low-Cost, Open-Access Automated Gait Analysis System for Assessing Motor Deficits

Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion

Behavioral assays are commonly used for the assessment of sensorimotor impairment in the central nervous system (CNS). The most sophisticated methods for quantifying locomotor deficits in rodents is to measure minute disturbances of unconstrained gait overground (e.g., manual BBB score or automated CatWalk). However, cortical inputs are not required for the generation of basic locomotion produced by the spinal central pattern generator (CPG). Thus, unconstrained walking tasks test locomotor deficits due to motor cortical impairment only indirectly. In this study, we propose a novel, precise foot-placement locomotor task that evaluates cortical inputs to the spinal CPG. An instrumented peg-way was used to impose symmetrical and asymmetrical locomotor tasks mimicking lateralized movement deficits. We demonstrate that shifts from equidistant inter-stride lengths of 20% produce changes in the forelimb stance phase characteristics during locomotion with preferred stride length. Furthermore, we propose that the asymmetric walkway allows for measurements of behavioral outcomes produced by cortical control signals. These measures are relevant for the assessment of impairment after cortical damage.

Here, we present a protocol to quantify precise stepping in rodents. Cortical and the spinal central pattern generator signals are required for precise foot-placement during obstructed locomotion. We report here the novel constrained walking task that directly examines precise stepping behavior.

Behavioral assays are commonly used for the assessment of sensorimotor impairment in the central nervous system (CNS). The most sophisticated methods for ...

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder

Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is shown to be a useful clinical tool for the evaluation of gait abnormality due to movement disorders. However, the use of 3DGA in actual clinics remains uncommon. Possible reasons could include the time-consuming measurement process and difficulties in understanding measurement results, which are often presented using a large number of graphs. Here we present a clinician-friendly 3DGA method developed to facilitate the clinical use of 3DGA. This method consists of simplified preparation and measurement processes that can be performed in a short time period in clinical settings and intuitive results presentation to facilitate clinicians&#39; understanding of results. The quick, simplified measurement procedure is achieved by the use of minimum markers and measurement of patients on a treadmill. To facilitate clinician understanding, results are presented in figures based on the clinicians&#39; perspective. A Lissajous overview picture (LOP), which shows the trajectories of all markers from a holistic viewpoint, is used to facilitate intuitive understanding of gait patterns. Abnormal gait pattern indices, which are based on clinicians&#39; perspectives in gait evaluation and standardized using the data of healthy subjects, are used to evaluate the extent of typical abnormal gait patterns in stroke patients. A graph depicting the analysis of the toe clearance strategy, which depicts how patients rely on normal and compensatory strategies to achieve toe clearance, is also presented. These methods could facilitate implementation of 3DGA in clinical settings and further encourage development of measurement strategies from the clinician&#39;s point of view.

In this study, a clinician-friendly three-dimensional gait analysis method, which was designed to be performed in the rehabilitation clinic, is presented. The method consists of a simplified measurement method and intuitive figures to facilitate clinicians&#39; understanding of the results.

Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is shown to be a useful clinical tool for the evaluation of gait abnormality due to movement disorders. However, ...

3D Kinematic Gait Analysis for Preclinical Studies in Rodents

The utility of three-dimensional (3D) kinematic motion analysis systems is limited in rodents. Part of the reason for this inadequacy is the use of complex algorithms and mathematical modeling that accompany 3D data collection and analysis procedures. This work provides a simple, user-friendly, step-by-step detailed methodology for 3D kinematic gait analysis during treadmill locomotion in healthy and neurotraumatic rats using a six-camera motion capture system. Also provided are details on 1) calibration of the system in an experimental set-up customized for quadrupedal locomotion, 2) data collection for treadmill locomotion in adult rats using markers positioned on all four limbs, 3) options available for video tracking and processing, and 4) basic 3D kinematic data generation and visualization and quantification of data using the built-in data collection software. Finally, it is suggested that the utility of this motion capture system be expanded to studying a variety of motor behaviors before and after neurotrauma.

Presented here is a protocol to collect and analyze three-dimensional kinematics of quadrupedal locomotion in rodents for preclinical studies.

The utility of three-dimensional (3D) kinematic motion analysis systems is limited in rodents. Part of the reason for this inadequacy is the use of ...

Gait Analysis of Age-dependent Motor Impairments in Mice with Neurodegeneration

Motor behavior tests are commonly used to determine the functional relevance of a rodent model and to test newly developed treatments in these animals. Specifically, gait analysis allows recapturing disease relevant phenotypes that are observed in human patients, especially in neurodegenerative diseases that affect motor abilities such as Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD), Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and others. In early studies along this line, the measurement of gait parameters was laborious and depended on factors that were hard to control (e.g., running speed, continuous running). The development of ventral plane imaging (VPI) systems made it feasible to perform gait analysis at a large scale, making this method a useful tool for the assessment of motor behavior in rodents. Here, we present an in-depth protocol of how to use kinematic gait analysis to examine the age-dependent progression of motor deficits in mouse models of neurodegeneration; mouse lines with decreased levels of endophilin, in which neurodegenerative damage progressively increases with age, are used as an example.

In this study, we demonstrate the use of kinematic gait analysis based on ventral plane imaging to monitor the subtle changes in motor coordination as well as the progression of neurodegeneration with advancing age in mouse models (e.g., endophilin mutant mouse lines).

Motor behavior tests are commonly used to determine the functional relevance of a rodent model and to test newly developed treatments in these animals. ...

Developmental Biology

Automated Gait Analysis in Mice with Chronic Constriction Injury

The von Frey test is a classical method that has been widely used to examine the sensory function of neuropathic pain animals. However, it has some disadvantages such as subjective data and the requirement of a skilled, experienced experimenter. To date, a variety of modifications have improved the von Frey method, but it still has a few limitations. Recent reports have suggested that gait analysis produces more accurate and objective data from the neuropathic animals. This protocol demonstrates how to perform the automated gait analysis to determine the degree of neuropathic pain in mice. After several days of acclimation, the mice were allowed to walk freely on the glass floor to illuminate footprints. Then, quantification of the footprints and gait were performed through video clips with automatic analysis of various walking parameters, such as area of paw print, swing time, angle of paw, etc.
The main purpose of this study is to describe the methodology of automated gait analysis and briefly compare it with data from the classical sensory test using von Frey filament.

The precise assessment of pain response in a neuropathic animal model is critical to investigate the pathophysiology of pain diseases and develop new analgesics. We present a sensitive and objective method to determine the sensory function of the rodent hind paw by an automated gait analysis system.

The von Frey test is a classical method that has been widely used to examine the sensory function of neuropathic pain animals. However, it has some ...

Neuroscience

Automated Gait Analysis to Assess Functional Recovery in Rodents with Peripheral Nerve or Spinal Cord Contusion Injury

Peripheral and central nerve injuries are mostly studied in rodents, especially rats, given the fact that these animal models are both cost-effective and a lot of comparative data has been published in the literature. This includes a multitude of assessment methods to study functional recovery following nerve injury and repair. Besides evaluation of nerve regeneration by means of histology, electrophysiology, and other in vivo and in vitro assessment techniques, functional recovery is the most important criterion to determine the degree of neural regeneration. Automated gait analysis allows recording of a vast quantity of gait-related parameters such as Paw Print Area and Paw Swing Speed as well as measures of inter-limb coordination. Additionally, the method provides digital data of the rats&#8217; paws after neuronal damage and during nerve regeneration, adding to our understanding of how peripheral and central nervous injuries affect their locomotor behavior. Besides the predominantly used sciatic nerve injury model, other models of peripheral nerve injury such as the femoral nerve can be studied by means of this method. In addition to injuries of the peripheral nervous systems, lesions of the central nervous system, e.g., spinal cord contusion can be evaluated. Valid and reproducible data assessment is strongly dependent on meticulous adjustment of the hard- and software settings prior to data acquisition. Additionally, proper training of the experimental animals is of crucial importance. This work aims to illustrate the use of computerized automated gait analysis to assess functional recovery in different animal models of peripheral nerve injury as well as spinal cord contusion injury. It also emphasizes the method&#8217;s limitations, e.g., evaluation of nerve regeneration in rats with sciatic nerve neurotmesis due to limited functional recovery. Therefore, this protocol is thought to help researchers interested in peripheral and central nervous injuries to assess functional recovery in rodent models.

Automated gait analysis is a feasible tool to evaluate functional recovery in rodent models of peripheral nerve injury and spinal cord contusion injury. While it requires only one setup to assess locomotor function in various experimental models, meticulous hard- and soft-ware adjustment and training of the animals is highly important.

Peripheral and central nerve injuries are mostly studied in rodents, especially rats, given the fact that these animal models are both cost-effective and ...

Applying the RatWalker System for Gait Analysis in a Genetic Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Gait abnormalities, including decreased arm swing, slower walking speed, and shorter steps are common in PD patients and appear early in the course of disease. Thus, the quantification of motor patterns in animal models of PD will be important for phenotypic characterization during disease course and upon therapeutic treatment. Most cases of PD are idiopathic; however, the identification of hereditary forms of PD uncovered gene mutations and variants, such as loss-of-function mutations in Pink1 and Parkin, two proteins involved in mitochondrial quality control that could be harnessed to create animal models. While mice are resistant to neurodegeneration upon loss of Pink1 and Parkin (single and combined deletion), in rats, Pink1 but not Parkin deficiency leads to nigral DA neuron loss and motor impairment. Here, we report the utility of FTIR imaging to uncover gait changes in freely walking young (2 months of age) male rats with combined loss of Pink1 and Parkin prior to the development of gross visually apparent motor abnormality as these rats age (observed at 4-6 months), characterized by hindlimb dragging as previously reported in Pink1 knockout (KO) rats.

Here we describe the RatWalker system, built by redesigning the MouseWalker apparatus to accommodate for the increased size and weight of rats. This system uses frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR), high-speed video capture, and open-access analysis software to track and quantify gait parameters.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars ...

Multifactorial Assessment of Motor Behavior in Rats after Unilateral Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury

The induction of a peripheral nerve injury is a widely used method in neuroscience for the assessment of repair and pain mechanisms among others. In addition, in the research field of movement disorders, sciatic crush injury has been employed to trigger a dystonia-like phenotype in genetically predisposed DYT-TOR1A rodent models of dystonia. To achieve consistent, reproducible and comparable results after a sciatic nerve crush injury, a standardized method for inducing the nerve crush is essential, in addition to a standardized phenotypical characterization. Attention must be paid not only to the specific assortment of behavioral tests, but also to the technical requirements, the correct execution and consecutive data analysis. This protocol describes in detail how to perform a sciatic nerve crush injury and provides a behavioral test battery for the assessment of motor deficits in rats that includes the open field test, the CatWalk XT gait analysis, the beam walking task, and the ladder rung walking task.

We provide a protocol for the assessment of motor behavior via a behavioral test battery in rats after sciatic nerve crush injury.

The induction of a peripheral nerve injury is a widely used method in neuroscience for the assessment of repair and pain mechanisms among others. In ...

Comprehensive Understanding of Inactivity-Induced Gait Alteration in Rodents

It is well known that disuse affects neural systems and that joint motions become altered; however, which outcomes properly exhibit these characteristics is still unclear. The present study describes a motion analysis approach that utilizes three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction from video captures. Using this technology, disuse-evoked alterations of walking performances were observed in rodents exposed to a simulated microgravity environment by unloading their hindlimb by their tail. After 2 weeks of unloading, the rats walked on a treadmill, and their gait motions were captured with four charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. 3D motion profiles were reconstructed and compared to those of control subjects using the image processing software. The reconstructed outcome measures successfully portrayed distinct aspects of distorted gait motion: hyperextension of the knee and ankle joints and higher position of the hip joints during the stance phase. Motion analysis is useful for several reasons. First, it enables quantitative behavioral evaluations instead of subjective observations (e.g., pass/fail in certain tasks). Second, multiple parameters can be extracted to fit specific needs once the fundamental datasets are obtained. Despite hurdles for broader application, the disadvantages of this method, including labor intensity and cost, may be alleviated by determining comprehensive measurements and experimental procedures.

The present protocol describes three-dimensional motion tracking/evaluation to depict gait motion alteration of rats after exposure to a simulated disuse environment.

It is well known that disuse affects neural systems and that joint motions become altered; however, which outcomes properly exhibit these characteristics ...

Quantifying Locomotor Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury Mice Using MouseWalker

Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury

The execution of complex and highly coordinated motor programs, such as walking and running, is dependent on the rhythmic activation of spinal and supra-spinal circuits. After a thoracic spinal cord injury, communication with upstream circuits is impaired. This, in turn, leads to a loss of coordination, with limited recovery potential. Hence, to better evaluate the degree of recovery after the administration of drugs or therapies, there is a necessity for new, more detailed, and accurate tools to quantify gait, limb coordination, and other fine aspects of locomotor behavior in animal models of spinal cord injury. Several assays have been developed over the years to quantitatively assess free-walking behavior in rodents; however, they usually lack direct measurements related to stepping gait strategies, footprint patterns, and coordination. To address these shortcomings, an updated version of the MouseWalker, which combines a frustrated total internal reflection (fTIR) walkway with tracking and quantification software, is provided. This open-source system has been adapted to extract several graphical outputs and kinematic parameters, and a set of post-quantification tools can be to analyze the output data provided. This manuscript also demonstrates how this method, allied with already established behavioral tests, quantitatively describes locomotor deficits following spinal cord injury.

Author Spotlight: Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury  

An experimental pipeline to quantitatively describe the locomotor pattern of freely walking mice using the MouseWalker (MW) toolbox is provided, ranging from initial video recordings and tracking to post-quantification analysis. A spinal cord contusion injury model in mice is employed to demonstrate the usefulness of the MW system.