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(1) Limb clasping | |
Procedure: → Lift the mice by the tail just so much above the grid, that they try to reach it with their front paws. Keep the mice in this position for at least 30 seconds. Should the phenotype not be obvious, touch hind limbs? This will ensure that clasping becomes obvious | |
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Stage | Definition |
0 | No clasping (wild-type phenotype) |
1 | Short and transient clasping only after stimulation (grabbing of grid or touching of hind limbs) |
2 | Persistent hind limb clasping after stimulation (grabbing of grid or touching of hind limbs) |
3 | Spontaneous hind limb clasping without major stimulation (when lifted for a few seconds by the tail) |
4 | Spontaneous clasping of hind- and fore limbs |
5 | Clasping of hind- or fore limbs persists for more than 5 sec after mice have been placed back into the home cage |
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(2) Tremor | |
Procedure: → Observe mice in home cage | |
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Stage | Definition |
0 | No tremor (wild-type) |
1 | Intermitted mild tremor |
2 | Continuous mild tremor |
3 | Continuous intensive tremor |
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(3) Gait anomalies | |
Procedure: → Place mice on metal surface in the sterile hood. Ensure that surface between cages is clean. Observe gait and posture | |
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Stage | Definition |
0 | Normal gait, normal posture (wild-type) |
1 | Intermittendly shaking gait, normal posture |
2 | Shaking gait, spreading of hind limbs, flattening of the rear body part |
3 | Continuously shaking gait, spreading of hind limbs, postural instability, dragging of rear body |
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(4) Body weight | |
Procedure: → Weigh mouse on the same balance in the same container. Record two digits after the comma | |
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Schedule | |
Procedure: → First analysis at 4 weeks of age, with follow-ups every week until x weeks of age | |
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