Abstract
Reliable measurements of motor learning and coordination in mice are fundamental aspects of neuroscience research. Despite the advent of deep-learning approaches for motor assessment, performance testing on a rotating rod (rotarod) has remained a staple in the neuroscientist’s toolbox. Surprisingly, commercially available rotarod instruments offer limited experimental flexibility at a relatively high cost. In order to address these con-cerns, we engineered a highly-customizable, low-budget rotarod device with increased functionality. Here, we present a detailed guide to assemble this rotarod using simple materials. Our apparatus incorporates a varia-tion of interchangeable rod sizes and designs which provides for adjustable testing sensitivity. Moreover, our rotarod is driven by open-source software enabling bespoke acceleration ramps and sequences. Finally, we report the strengths and weaknesses of each rod design following multiday testing on cohorts of C57BL/6 mice. We expect explorations in deviant rod types to provide a foundation for the development of increasingly sensitive models for motor performance testing along with low-budget alternatives for the research community.
Original language | English (US) |
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Journal | eNeuro |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2023 |
Keywords
- coordination
- motor learning
- mouse behavior
- open-source tool
- rotarod
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Neuroscience