Table 1.

A set of modified neurologic severity scores used to grade neurologic function (24).

Modified neurological severity score (mNSS)
Motor tests	Points
Raising the rat by the tail	3
1 Flexion of forelimb
1 Flexion of hindlimb
1 Head moved more than 100 to the vertical axis within 30 s
Walking on the floor (normal=0; mazimum=3)	3
0 Normal walk
1 inability to walk straight
2 Circling toward the paretic side
3 Falling down to the paretic side
Sensory tests	2
1 placing test (visual and tactile test)
2 proproceptive test (deep sensation, pushing the paw against the table edge to stimulate limb muscles)
Boam balance testes (normal=0; maximum=6)	6
0 Balance with steady posture
1 Grasps side of beam
2 Hugs the beam and one limb falls down from the beam
3 Hugs the beam and two limbs fall down from the beam, or spins on beam (>60 s)
4 Attempts to balance on the beam but falls off (>40 s)
5 Attemps to balance on the beam but falls off (>20 s)
6 Falls off: no attempt to balance or hang on to the beam (<20 s)
Reflexes absent and abnormal movements	4
1 Pinna reflex (a head shake when the auditory meatus is touched)
1 Corneal reflex (an eye blink when the cornea is lightly touched with cotton)
1 Startle reflex (a motor response to a brief noise from snapping a clipboard and paper)
1 Seizures, myoclonus, myodystony
Maximum points	18

One point is awarded for the inability to perform the task or for the lack of a tested reflex: 13-18-sever injury: 7-12-moderate injury: 1-6-mild injury