Mechanographic and electromyographic measurements:

Haloperidol-induced muscle rigidity
• Test for compounds with symtomatic effect on Parkinson¡¯s Disease, where drugs are evaluated based on their ability to reverse haloperidol or reserpine-induced muscle rigidity. The mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) method measures the muscle resistance of the hind leg of rat evoked by passive flexions and extensions in the ankle joint (by 25¡Æ) as well as the simultaneous electromyographic activity present in flexor (tibialis anterior) and extensor (gastrocnemius) muscles of the hind leg during movements.
• To test the validity of the model in the search for antiparkinsonian compounds we have examined: (1) the action of 2 neuroleptics: haloperidol and fluphenazine, (2) the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions of the substantia nigra, (3) the action of reserpine on the muscle tone, (4) the influence of L-DOPA (Madopar) on fluphenzine induced muscle rigidity and (5) that of pramipexole on the reserpine- and haloperidol-induced muscle rigidity. We conclude that the haloperidol- and reserpine-induced muscle rigidity (MMG/EMG) seem to meet all basic requirements to be accepted as tests to screen compounds for symptomatic effect on Parkinson¡¯s Disease.
  
• Apparatus : The metaplex block, moved by an electric engine, is connected to a force sensor which records the resistance of the foot to passive movements. EMG signals from the electrodes are amplified and band-pass-filtered (80 Hz-10 kHz). The recording of EMG and MMG signals starts 500 ms earlier, and is continued throughout and 2250 ms after each passive movement. The EMG and MMG signals are sampled by AD Converters (11 bit) with a frequency of 10 kHz per channel, and fed into a PC which controls also the movements of the electric engine.
• see : Amplifier
  

Reserpine-induced muscle rigidity

• Test for compounds with symtomatic effect on Parkinson¡¯s Disease, where drugs are evaluated based on their ability to reverse reserpine-induced muscle rigidity. The mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) method measures the muscle resistance of the hind leg of rat evoked by passive flexions and extensions in the ankle joint (by 25¡Æ) as well as the simultaneous electromyographic activity present in flexor (tibialis anterior) and extensor (gastrocnemius) muscles of the hind leg during movements. To test the validity of the model in the search for antiparkinsonian compounds we have examined: (1) the action of 2 neuroleptics: haloperidol and fluphenazine, (2) the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced lesions of the substantia nigra, (3) the action of reserpine on the muscle tone, (4) the influence of L-DOPA (Madopar) on fluphenzine induced muscle rigidity and (5) that of pramipexole on the reserpine- and haloperidol-induced muscle rigidity. We conclude that the haloperidol- and reserpine-induced muscle rigidity (MMG/EMG) seem to meet all basic requirements to be accepted as tests for evaluating the symptomatic effect of antiparkinsonian compounds.
  
• Apparatus : The metaplex block, moved by an electric engine, is connected to a force sensor which records the resistance of the foot to passive movements. EMG signals from the electrodes are amplified and band-pass-filtered (80 Hz-10 kHz). The recording of EMG and MMG signals starts 500 ms earlier, and is continued throughout and 2250 ms after each passive movement. The EMG and MMG signals are sampled by AD Converters (11 bit) with a frequency of 10 kHz per channel, and fed into a PC which controls also the movements of the electric engine.
• see : Amplifier
  

MPTP/MPP+ (intranigral injection) model of Parkinsonism

Behavioural measurements
• Under Construction
  

Apototic markers

• Under Construction
  

Oxidative stress parameters

• Under Construction
  

Skilled Reaching (forelimb motor control)

• Rats reach through a small opening to retrieve food pellets.
• Sensitive to moderate to severe DA depletion caused by unilateral 6-OHDA.
  
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Forelimb Asymmetry

• Weight shifting using forelimbs during vertical exploration and landing in a cylinder.
• Sensitive to non-severe levels of DA depletion and to L-DOPA.
  
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Bilateral Tactile Stimulation (2 phase)

• Assays forelimb tactile sensation, in which an adhesive patch is applied to the wrist of each forelimb, and the order and latency of stimulus removal is recorded.
• Sensitive to severe levels of DA depletion.
  
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Single Limb Akinesia

• Movement initiation in which direction of steps and stepping movements are assessed.
• Sensitive to direct DA agonists when degeneration of DA neurons is not severe.
  
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Placing Test

• Asymmetries in forelimb placing, following unilateral 6-OHDA, using vibrissae-elicited placing.
  
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Bracing Test

• Evaluates capacity to adjust stepping and regain postural stability when rapid weight shifts are imposed.
• Sensitive to DA agonists, even when degeneration is severe.
  
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Orienting Movement

• Measures latency to orient to a tactile stimulus (right or left side of face).
• Sensitive to moderate to severe DA depletion.
  
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Disengage Test

• Orienting test (above) conducted while animal is eating.
• Sensitive to a moderate level of DA depletion.
  
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Drug-Induced Turning (rotational test)

• Number and direction of horizontal circling movements following apomorphine.
• Common test for screening potential therapies when DA loss is severe.
  
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Activity changes following MPTP (mice)

• Automated recording of both locomotor and rearing activity.
  
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