Locomotor Analysis of the Taiep Rat

• Published in: The Journal of general psychology Vol. 127; no. 4; pp. 412 - 425
• Main Authors: Anch, A. M., Powell, E., Bloom, C., Dyche, J., Faulkner, K., Richter, R. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.10.2000; Journal Press, etc; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Age groups; Animals; Ataxia; Data collection; Disease; Epilepsy; locomotor activity; Longitudinal studies; Motor ability; Movement Disorders - diagnosis; Movement Disorders - etiology; Movement Disorders - physiopathology; myelin deficiency; Myelin Sheath - pathology; neurodegenerative disease; Neurodegenerative Diseases - complications; Neurodegenerative Diseases - pathology; Neurological disorders; rat; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rodents
• ISSN: 0022-1309; 1940-0888
• DOI: 10.1080/00221300009598594

Locomotor activity (tremor, ataxia, immobility, epilepsy, and paralysis) in the taiep rat, which suffers from a myelin deficient disorder, has not been previously documented. This study used walking track analysis of footprints to analyze locomotor activity in the taiep rat in comparison to normal, age-matched controls. The results confirmed differences between normal and taiep rats in terms of stride length, step length, and stride width. In addition, we found significant interactions between age and condition for stride and step length. The results suggest that locomotor analysis is a sensitive indicant of myelin deficiency. The results are discussed in terms of the underlying myelin deficiency and possible treatment regimens.