A hacked kitchen scale-based system for quantification of grip strength in rodents. (May 2022)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- A hacked kitchen scale-based system for quantification of grip strength in rodents. (May 2022)
- Main Title:
- A hacked kitchen scale-based system for quantification of grip strength in rodents
- Authors:
- Homolak, Jan
Virag, Davor
Kodvanj, Ivan
Matak, Ivica
Babic Perhoc, Ana
Knezovic, Ana
Osmanovic Barilar, Jelena
Trkulja, Vladimir
Salkovic-Petrisic, Melita - Abstract:
- Abstract: Background: Assessment of neuromuscular function is critical for understanding pathophysiological changes related to motor system dysfunction in many rodent disease models. Among methods used for quantification of grip performance in rodents, gauge-based grip strength meters provide the most reliable results, however, such instruments are unaffordable by many laboratories. The present aim was to demonstrate how to build a rodent grip strength apparatus from scratch using a digital kitchen scale, an empty cage, and a microcontroller, with both hardware and software being completely open-source to enable maximal modularity and flexibility of the instrument in concordance with the principles of open-source bioinstrumentation. Methods: NodeMCU ESP-32S was connected to a hacked digital kitchen scale-based platform and load cell data were acquired using custom open-source scripts. Data were analyzed in R using semi-automatic analysis algorithms implemented in the ratPASTA package. griPASTA system was tested by quantifying muscular rigidity in the rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by bilateral intrastriatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Results: In contrast to commercial instruments, the flexibility and modularity of the proposed platform enable collecting raw data and controlling for potential confounding effects on the grip strength. Muscular rigidity is significantly increased in the rat model of PD regardless of the dose used or reboxetineAbstract: Background: Assessment of neuromuscular function is critical for understanding pathophysiological changes related to motor system dysfunction in many rodent disease models. Among methods used for quantification of grip performance in rodents, gauge-based grip strength meters provide the most reliable results, however, such instruments are unaffordable by many laboratories. The present aim was to demonstrate how to build a rodent grip strength apparatus from scratch using a digital kitchen scale, an empty cage, and a microcontroller, with both hardware and software being completely open-source to enable maximal modularity and flexibility of the instrument in concordance with the principles of open-source bioinstrumentation. Methods: NodeMCU ESP-32S was connected to a hacked digital kitchen scale-based platform and load cell data were acquired using custom open-source scripts. Data were analyzed in R using semi-automatic analysis algorithms implemented in the ratPASTA package. griPASTA system was tested by quantifying muscular rigidity in the rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by bilateral intrastriatal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Results: In contrast to commercial instruments, the flexibility and modularity of the proposed platform enable collecting raw data and controlling for potential confounding effects on the grip strength. Muscular rigidity is significantly increased in the rat model of PD regardless of the dose used or reboxetine pretreatment. Neither trial speed nor animal weight was recognized as an important confounder. Conclusions: griPASTA provides a cheap, easy, precise, and reliable way to measure grip strength in rodents using widely available equipment and open-source software. Highlights: griPASTA is simple, reliable and open-source solution for measuring rodent grip strength. griPASTA can provide data related to potential confounders in animal experiments. Muscular rigidity is increased in 6-OHDA-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Computers in biology and medicine. Volume 144(2022)
- Journal:
- Computers in biology and medicine
- Issue:
- Volume 144(2022)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 144, Issue 2022 (2022)
- Year:
- 2022
- Volume:
- 144
- Issue:
- 2022
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2022-0144-2022-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2022-05
- Subjects:
- Open-source -- Grip strength -- Neuromuscular function -- Animal models -- Parkinson's disease -- 6-ohda -- Rigidity
Medicine -- Data processing -- Periodicals
Biology -- Data processing -- Periodicals
610.285 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00104825/ ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.105391 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0010-4825
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 3394.880000
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- 21236.xml