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Locomotor, Sensorimotor and Pain Outcomes after Graded Mid-Thoracic Contusion in Female Sprague Dawley Rats
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Locomotor, Sensorimotor and Pain Outcomes after Graded Mid-Thoracic Contusion in Female Sprague Dawley Rats

Johana Bastidas, Linda Jones, Marco Baptista, Jason Wheeler, Rachel Barrett, Smriti Mongia, Daniel Havas, Karim Fouad, Wolfram Tetzlaff, Taleen Hanania, …
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34945/f5c31d
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https://doi.org/10.34945/f5c31dView
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Abstract

Behavior Bladder Cold Allodynia Contusion Gait Parameters Graded Injury Pain
STUDY PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to develop and characterize a standardized rat thoracic contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) platform using a commercially available injury device and established methodologies. By applying a graded injury model and a comprehensive set of validated assessments, including locomotor scoring, automated gait analysis (NeuroCube), sensory testing, horizontal ladder performance, and histological evaluation, this platform aims to reliably detect functional and anatomical differences across injury severities. The resulting framework is intended to support both industry and academic research by enabling consistent evaluation of therapeutic candidates and facilitating reproducible, cross-study comparisons in preclinical SCI research. DATA COLLECTED: Female Sprague–Dawley rats (Inotiv) were assigned to groups balanced by body weight and underwent either sham surgery (laminectomy only) or one of four T8 contusion severities (170, 200, 250 kdyn, or 250 kdyn with a 3-second dwell) to generate graded functional impairments. Functional outcomes were evaluated over five weeks post-injury using locomotor (BBB scoring, ladder test, automated gait analysis via NeuroCube) and sensory assessments (von Frey, Hargreaves, acetone tests). BBB scores and subscores were recorded at baseline, 1 day post-injury, and weekly through week 5. Ladder, von Frey, and NeuroCube gait data were collected at baseline, week 3, and week 5; Hargreaves testing at baseline, week 2, and week 4; and acetone testing at week 5. At six weeks post-injury, spinal cord tissue was harvested for histological evaluation of lesion and spared tissue areas across transverse sections spanning 3 cm around the injury epicenter. DATA USAGE NOTES:

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