Neurodevelopmental Reflex Testing in Neonatal Rat Pups

Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE
Antoinette T NguyenJerome Y Yager

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental reflex testing is commonly used in clinical practice to assess the maturation of the nervous system. Neurodevelopmental reflexes are also referred to as primitive reflexes. They are sensitive and consistent with later outcomes. Abnormal reflexes are described as an absence, persistence, reappearance, or latency of reflexes, which are predictive indices of infants that are at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Animal models of neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, often display aberrant developmental reflexes, as would be observed in human infants. The techniques described assess a variety of neurodevelopmental reflexes in neonatal rats. Neurodevelopmental reflex testing offers the investigator a testing method that is not otherwise available in such young animals. The methodology presented here aims to assist investigators in examining developmental milestones in neonatal rats as a method of detecting early-onset brain injury and/or determining the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. The methodology presented here aims to provide a general guideline for investigators.

Citations

May 14, 2020·Hypertension in Pregnancy : Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy·Irina RozkovaSergey Amstislavsky
Aug 28, 2020·International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience·Ava KhodadadehGhasem Akbari
Aug 1, 2019·Hypertension in Pregnancy : Official Journal of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy·Tatyana N IgoninaSergey Ya Amstislavsky
Aug 20, 2021·Scientific Reports·Roman MakarovRoustem Khazipov

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