| 'CatWalk' automated quantitative gait analysis as a novel method to assess mechanical allodynia in the rat; a comparison with von Frey testing. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 12620612 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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A characteristic symptom of neuropathic pain is mechanical allodynia. In animal models of neuropathic pain, mechanical allodynia is often assessed using von Frey filaments. Although the forces applied with these filaments are highly reproducible, there are various disadvantages of using this method. Testing paradigms and definitions of withdrawal threshold are not standardised. Moreover, measurements may be influenced by various conditions, such as ambient temperature, humidity, weight bearing of the limb and stress. We have therefore investigated another technique to assess mechanical allodynia, the 'CatWalk' automated quantitative gait analysis. With this computer-assisted method of locomotor analysis, it is possible to objectively and rapidly quantify several gait parameters, including duration of different phases of the step cycle and pressure applied during locomotion. We tested rats with a chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve, a model of neuropathic pain, both with von Frey filaments and the CatWalk method. We demonstrate that these rats minimise contact with the affected paw during locomotion, as demonstrated by a reduction in stance phase and pressure applied during stance. Moreover, these parameters show a high degree of correlation with mechanical withdrawal thresholds as determined by von Frey filaments. We therefore suggest that the CatWalk method might serve as an additional tool in the investigation of mechanical allodynia. |
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Authors:
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Dorien H Vrinten; Frank F T Hamers |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Pain Volume: 102 ISSN: 0304-3959 ISO Abbreviation: Pain Publication Date: 2003 Mar |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2003-03-06 Completed Date: 2003-07-02 Revised Date: 2008-11-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7508686 Medline TA: Pain Country: Netherlands |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 203-9 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Medical Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Computer-Aided Design Diagnosis, Differential Disease Models, Animal Extremities / physiopathology* Gait / physiology* Male Pain / classification, diagnosis, physiopathology* Pain Measurement* Pain Threshold Physical Stimulation / instrumentation, methods Rats Rats, Wistar Sciatic Nerve / pathology, physiopathology, surgery Signal Detection, Psychological Statistics as Topic |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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