A comparison of assessments of functional recovery in the rat

Assessment of functional recovery following any peripheral nerve manipulati on is critical. While quantitative neurobehavioral testing has been develop ed in the anesthesia literature for the assessment of neural function, the surgical literature relies mainly on walking track analysis for evaluation of motor recovery. The latter method is both cumbersome to perform and diff icult to quantify. We compared standard walking track analysis with the qua ntitative neurobehavioral tests recently developed for anesthetic testing. We found a close correlation between the recovery predicted by walking trac k analysis and that suggested by neurobehavioral testing. In addition, the neurobehavioral test battery offered information regarding the rate of retu rn of pure motor function, complex integrated function, proprioceptive func tion. and sensation. The tests are easier to perform and less susceptible t o interpretative error. Neurobehavioral testing may be an effective substit ute for walking track analysis in the assessment of functional recovery fol lowing manipulation of the rat sciatic nerve.