Automated quantitative analysis to assess motor function in different rat models of impaired coordination and ataxia.

Background: An objective and automated method for assessing alterations in gait and motor coordination in different animal models is important for proper gait analysis. The CatWalk system has been used in pain research, ischemia, arthritis, spinal cord injury and some animal models for neurodegenerative diseases.

New Method: Our goals were to obtain a comprehensive gait analysis of three different rat models and to identify which motor coordination parameters are affected and are the most suitable and sensitive to describe and detect ataxia with a secondary focus on possible training effects.