Table 1.

Score Key for the Functional Observation Battery for Young Mice

Ob.ID #	Behaviors / Observations	Categories	Score
1	Posture in cage prior to removing / handling animals	Resting or asleep in nest with other pups and/or dam	0
		Feeding (either nursing or solid food)	1
		Stationary with no contact with dam or other pups	2
		Moving around cage	3
		Hyperactive, excessive movement, jumping, rearing	4
2	Behavior while removing from cage	Sits quietly and is easily grasped	0
		Runs around cage, hard to grab, may or may not vocalize	1
		Freeze response (with or without vocalization)	2
		Aggressive, tail and/or throat rattle, may attempt to bite	3
3	Color of mucous membranes/eyes/skin: if pup's eyes are not open, note color of skin only	Pink	0
		Pale	1
		Bright, deep red flush	2
The remaining observations are collected outside of the homecage in the test arena
4	Touch response: touch rump with cotton end of swab	No reaction	0
		Turns toward site	1
		Walks forward, away from stimulus	2
5	Righting reflex: roll mouse on either side and determine amount of time to return to a sternal or standing position with stopwatch. One minute time limit for each side.	Rights when turned on both sides	0
		Attempts but does not right from left side	1
		Attempts but does not right from right side	2
		Attempts but does not right from either side	3
		Does not attempt to right	4
6	Tail pinch: grasp tail 5 mm from base with forceps	No response	0
		Sluggish turn	1
		Vocalization only	2
		Rapid turn toward stimulus with or without vocalization	3
		Jumps or walks forward with or without vocalization	4
		Jumps, rolls and/or walks forward with vocalization. May raise hindquarters. Exaggerated response.	5
7	Death	No death	0
		Found dead in cage	1
		Euthanized. Record reason.	2
8	Palpebral closure	Both eyes wide open	0
		Eye(s) partially closed (including recently unsealed eyes)	1
		Eyelids swollen or drooping	2
		Eyes closed (including sealed eyes)	3
The following observations are collected only after eyes have opened/unsealed
9	Noise response: with mouse free to move about, snap K-9 clicker behind the head.	No reaction. Does not orient to sound.	0
		Startles but does not orient toward sound	1
		Startles and orients toward sound	2
		Orients to sound without startle	3
10	Approach response: move cotton end of swab to within 3 cm of snout and hold for 4-s.	No reaction	0
		Approaches slowly and sniffs or grabs object	1
		Freezes	2
		Pulls away slightly	3
		Jumps or turns away to avoid object	4
11	Palpebral reflex: touch medial canthus with stick end of swab. Movement must be slow and must not stimulate corneal or menace reflex.	Eyes are sealed	0
		Eyelids are partially opened	1
		Eyelids blink	2
		Eyelids do not blink	3
The following behaviors should be monitored continuously during handling
12	Response to handling	Alert and calm	0
		Animal is limp	1
		Attempts to escape, may vocalize or bite	2
13	Aberrant movements / Bizarre behavior	None	0
		Spatial disorientation (walking or stumbling into objects)	1
		Side-to-side rocking	2
		Body tremor/vibration	3
		Other (record specific observations)	4
14	Gait	Too young to walk	0
		Normal	1
		Abnormal gait (including waddling, high stepping, etc). Record specific observations.	2
		Incapacity, unable to walk	3
15	Locomotor activity	Resting / asleep	0
		No spontaneous movement, responds only when stimulated	1
		Casual scratching, grooming, slow spatial orientation	2
		Vigorous scratching, grooming, moderate spatial orientation (including normal, age-appropriate pup movement)	3
		Ballistic movements: sharp, rapid, and/or darting	4
16	Rearing activity	None (including if pup is too young to walk)	0
		Rears on hindlimbs with use of tail	1
		Falls over backward or to the side when rearing	2