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Motor Impairments

Motor control is the way as organisms use its brain/cognition in order to produces reflex and volition. For that, the nervous system activates and coordinates muscles and limbs in order to perform motor skill allowing organisms to interact with the world. When this function is disrupted it causes some physical disability as can be seen in diseases such as stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related disabilities.

  • Bar Test

    In order to study Parkinson´s disease, we induce catalepsy in rats by administration of haloperidol. Haloperidol is a neuroleptic which binds at dopaminergic receptors and blocks motoric signals in high dose. After receiving haloperidol the rat is gently placed with it´s forepaws on a horizontal bar and the time spent with the forepaws on it; the catalepsy time is assessed. The catalepsy time can be modified by applying different treatments such as chemical and electrical stimulation. A change in the catalepsy time indicates the effect of the treatment and allows insights into mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s disease.