Staircase Test for Motor Function Assessment in a Hemiparkinsonian Rat

Source: Rattka, M, et al., A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test. J. Vis. Exp. (2016). This video demonstrates the staircase test to assess motor function in a hemiparkinsonian rat with a right brain lesion. The lesion disrupts dopamine signaling, impairing left paw control, which results in more pellets remaining on the left stairs, indicating motor dysfunction.