A motorized pellet dispenser to deliver high intensity training of the single pellet reaching and grasping task in rats. 2018

Abel Torres-Espín, and Juan Forero, and Emma K A Schmidt, and Karim Fouad, and Keith K Fenrich
Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3-88 Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3-88 Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada.

The single pellet reaching and grasping (SPG) task is widely used to study forelimb motor performance in rodents and to provide rehabilitation after neurological disorders. Nonetheless, the time necessary to train animals precludes its use in settings where high-intensity training is required. In the current study, we developed a novel high-intensity training protocol for the SPG task based on a motorized pellet dispenser and a dual-window enclosure. We tested the protocol in naive adult rats and found 1) an increase in the intensity of training without increasing the task time and without affecting the overall performance of the animals, 2) a reduction in the variability within and between experiments in comparison to manual SPG training, and 3) a reduction in the time required to conduct experiments. In summary, we developed and tested a novel protocol for SPG training that provides higher-intensity training while reducing the variability of results observed with other protocols.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010805 Physical Conditioning, Animal Diet modification and physical exercise to improve the ability of animals to perform physical activities. Animal Physical Conditioning,Animal Physical Conditionings,Conditioning, Animal Physical,Conditionings, Animal Physical,Physical Conditionings, Animal
D011917 Rats, Inbred Lew An inbred strain of rat that is used in BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. Rats, Inbred Lewis,Rats, Lew,Inbred Lew Rat,Inbred Lew Rats,Inbred Lewis Rats,Lew Rat,Lew Rat, Inbred,Lew Rats,Lew Rats, Inbred,Lewis Rats, Inbred,Rat, Inbred Lew,Rat, Lew
D003216 Conditioning, Operant Learning situations in which the sequence responses of the subject are instrumental in producing reinforcement. When the correct response occurs, which involves the selection from among a repertoire of responses, the subject is immediately reinforced. Instrumental Learning,Learning, Instrumental,Operant Conditioning,Conditionings, Operant,Instrumental Learnings,Learnings, Instrumental,Operant Conditionings
D005260 Female Females
D005509 Food Dispensers, Automatic Mechanical food dispensing machines. Vending Machines, Food,Automatic Food Dispenser,Automatic Food Dispensers,Dispenser, Automatic Food,Dispensers, Automatic Food,Food Dispenser, Automatic,Food Vending Machine,Food Vending Machines,Machine, Food Vending,Machines, Food Vending,Vending Machine, Food
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000821 Animal Feed Foodstuff used especially for domestic and laboratory animals, or livestock. Fodder,Animal Feeds,Feed, Animal,Feeds, Animal,Fodders
D015203 Reproducibility of Results The statistical reproducibility of measurements (often in a clinical context), including the testing of instrumentation or techniques to obtain reproducible results. The concept includes reproducibility of physiological measurements, which may be used to develop rules to assess probability or prognosis, or response to a stimulus; reproducibility of occurrence of a condition; and reproducibility of experimental results. Reliability and Validity,Reliability of Result,Reproducibility Of Result,Reproducibility of Finding,Validity of Result,Validity of Results,Face Validity,Reliability (Epidemiology),Reliability of Results,Reproducibility of Findings,Test-Retest Reliability,Validity (Epidemiology),Finding Reproducibilities,Finding Reproducibility,Of Result, Reproducibility,Of Results, Reproducibility,Reliabilities, Test-Retest,Reliability, Test-Retest,Result Reliabilities,Result Reliability,Result Validities,Result Validity,Result, Reproducibility Of,Results, Reproducibility Of,Test Retest Reliability,Validity and Reliability,Validity, Face
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus
D018737 Hand Strength Force exerted when gripping or grasping. Grasp,Grip,Grip Strength,Hand Grip Strength,Grasps,Grip Strength, Hand,Grips,Strength, Grip,Strength, Hand,Strength, Hand Grip

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