Suggested Guidelines For Studying Fine Motor Skills In Mice

Charles River scientists have been exploring 3D analysis of fine motor movement to more accurately model and measure subtle movement and coordination in rodents with CNS damage. This automated, high-precision, kinematic movement analysis system is currently used in rodent studies to model a number of CNS diseases. It is also used to detect disease-like symptoms earlier, with greater precision, and enhanced sensitivity to traditionally applied analyses.

For the first time, fine motor kinematic analysis in animal models brings a translatable assay for motor testing and offers better opportunities for lead drug candidates to break through in the clinical studies.

Guidelines for Studying Fine Motor Skills in Mice

Know the Model
We take a model's age and disease progression into consideration in order to make sure you are choosing the correct time points to study.

Note Speed and Direction
Monitoring the speed and direction of movement, in conjunction with analysis of limb joints, body parts and joint angles, helps us create a complete profile of a model’s motor abilities.

Choose Markers Carefully
Because this system is highly sensitive and can detect even subtle changes in preclinical models that may not show a detectable phenotype when using gross motor assay, we carefully select markers based on the specific model we are using.

Select the Right Time to Test
Due to its higher sensitivity, kinematic analysis broadens the opportunity for pharmacological testing. We recognize the importance of understanding the different pharmacokinetic properties of a compound and know that these properties will affect the right time to test after dosing.