Performing and evaluating motor ability tests in rodents can be a challenging task. QPS Neuropharmacology therefore offers a wide range of behavioral tests that are proven to reliably generate robust data about muscle strength and motor phenotypes. All available tests were already successfully validated in house.
Motor deficits can impact various muscle groups and affect patients of various diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, several lysosomal storage diseases, and many more. Reasons for deficits in muscle strength and motor ability can be numerous and be based on alterations in motor areas of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or the muscle tissue itself. Most motor tests evaluate muscle strength and motor deficits of extremities. However, the pasta gnawing test can also analyze orofacial motor deficits that reflect a high translatability to clinical symptoms observed in patients. Selection of the proper motor tests further strongly depends on the motivation and strength of motor deficits of the rodent model. Motor ability tests are widely used to evaluate the pathology of rodent models but even more for pharmacological research to analyze the efficacy of new drug candidates against motor diseases. These tests can provide valuable insights into the drug’s potential clinical utility. Results of behavioral tests can be supported by analysis of Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) and Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE) to evaluate muscle pathologies. Usually, a combination of muscle strength and motor tests are needed to receive a comprehensive overview of symptoms and to evaluate the efficacy of a drug candidate.
We are happy to receive your inquiry to elaborate on the most efficient options for your in vivo study and to complement behavioral testing with immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular biological techniques.
We offer various tests to evaluate muscle strength and motor deficits in rodents. Can’t find what you are looking for? We are constantly establishing new tests and would be glad to develop tests according to your requirements.