Figure 8. Rotarod performance transiently decreased after unilateral forelimb casting.

Rats were trained twice per day at increasing speeds (5–30 rpm, 180 s each) for the first 18 min and at a constant speed (30 rpm) for a further 12 min. All measurements were obtained for 6 days in control rats and in experimental rats after 30 days of cast immobilization (beginning 12 h after cast removal). Daily performance was expressed as the mean of two daily sessions. Data are expressed as the mean ± s.e.m. of five measurements per group. Note that in the first 4 days after cast removal, test rats displayed a higher number of falls than control rats. Statistical results: control: H = 22.52, P = 0.0004; after cast removal: H = 27.15, P < 0.0001. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 different from day 1 (Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn's test); °P < 0.05 different from control (Mann–Whitney test).