Gait Analysis
Materials and Methods
Funding for development of the gait analysis device was provided by the ALS Association (link to their website here; http://www.alsa.org)
Mouse Specifics, Inc., USA
Video capture software by Video Savant, London, Ontario, Canada
Treadscan software by CleverSys Inc., USA
A series of small chambers is located on top of the treadmill unit, and mice are placed into the chamber that is located directly above the camera so that their gait can be monitored. Recording starts at a slow speed, i.e. the treadmill is slowly turned to 23.4cm/sec and the walking motion of the mouse is video recorded. The taped recording is subsequently analyzed to detect potential abnormalities in different aspects of their gait: Standard gait indices that are analyzed, include stride, stance and swing time (stride time: time between consecutive paw placements; swing time: the time a paw spends fully in the air; stance time: the time a paw is in contact with the treadmill surface). The gait analysis device has been fully validated and the results have been published (Wooley et al., 2005, Muscle Nerve, 32, (1), 43-50).
For further information contact Dr. Kevin Seburn at The Jackson Laboratory (kevins@jax.org).
