Gait Analysis Using Animal Models of Peripheral Nerve and Spinal Cord Injuries

This review discusses the use of the CatWalk system (CW) for gait analysis in rodent models of spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. CW is an automated system that assesses gait abnormalities and motor coordination. The CatWalk system uses high-resolution videos and specialized software to measure various aspects of an animal’s gait. It evaluates parameters based on footprints and time, providing objective data for studying improvements in walking after nerve damage and for selecting effective therapies. By using appropriate animal models and standardized methods to assess nerve regeneration, this methodology can be translated into clinical applications, potentially leading to new therapies for neurological conditions.

• 1
  The CatWalk system (CW) is reliable for assessing gait abnormalities and motor coordination in rodent models of nerve injuries.
• 2
  CW allows for objective and quantifiable data collection, which is essential for studying improvements in animal walking after nerve damage and for selecting the best therapies.
• 3
  Combining multiple CatWalk parameters, analyzed through methods like linear discriminant analysis (LDA), provides a more comprehensive and sensitive assessment of gait recovery than single parameter analysis.