Scoring parameters and description of neonatal motor behavioral testing tasks
| Behavioral task | Trials | Scoring | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface righting | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = present; time to complete task (s) | Pup held on back for 5 s then given 30 s to right itself |
| Auditory startle | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = present | Pup presented with loud tone, observed for startle |
| Tactile startle | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = present | Pup presented with air puff, observed for startle |
| Grasp reflex | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = present | Pup stimulated on forepaw or hindpaw with dull side of metal blade, observed for grasp reflex |
| Horizontal screen test | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = grasp screen, 2 = lift screen | Pup pulled against horizontal wire mesh |
| Vertical screen test | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = grasp screen, 2 = climb screen | Pup pulled against vertical wire mesh |
| Negative geotaxis | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = orients to horizontal, 2 = orients to vertical, time to complete task (s) | Pup placed on 45° wire mesh head facing down, given 45 s to reverse direction and climb |
| Cliff avoidance | 3 | 0 = absent, 1 = present | Mouse placed with snout and forepaw digits over a ledge (box), given up to 30 s to remiove |
| Quadruped walking | 2 | 0 = no forward movement, 1 = crawling, asymmetric movements, 2 = crawling, symmetric movements, 3 = fast crawling/walking | Mouse recorded for 2 or 3 min in an empty cage |