Quantification of functional recovery following rat sciatic nerve transection

Functional recovery following experimental nerve injury has been notoriousl y difficult to quantify precisely. The current gold standard in the rat sci atic nerve model involves analysis of footprints of the recovering animal, and computation of the sciatic function index (SFI). We performed transecti on injuries and measured recovery both by walking track analysis and by a n ewer, simpler, more quantitative test of motor recovery, the extensor postu ral thrust (EPT). We demonstrate a high correlation between both testing mo dalities and suggest a role for EPT measurements as an easier, more consist ent measure of motor recovery following experimental rat sciatic nerve tran section. (C) 2001 Academic Press.