Table I.
Modified neurological severity scores (16).
| Assessment | Score |
|---|---|
| Motor assessments | |
| Raising mice by tail (normal, 0; maximum, 3) | |
| Flexion of forelimb | 1 |
| Flexion of hindlimb | 1 |
| Head movement >10° to vertical axis within 30 sec | 1 |
| Putting mice on the floor (normal, 0; maximum, 3) | |
| Normal walk | 0 |
| Unable to walk straight | 1 |
| Circling toward paretic side | 2 |
| Falls down to paretic side | 3 |
| Sensory assessments | |
| Placing test (visual and tactile test) | 1 |
| Proprioceptive test (deep sensation, pushing paw against table edge to stimulate limb muscles) | 1 |
| Beam balance test (normal, 0; maximum, 6) | |
| Balances with steady posture | 0 |
| Grasps side of beam | 1 |
| Hugs beam but one limb falls from beam | 2 |
| Hugs beam and two limbs fall from beam, or spins on beam (>60 sec) | 3 |
| Attempts to balance on beam but falls off (>40 sec) | 4 |
| Attempts to balance on beam but falls off (>20 sec) | 5 |
| Falls off; no attempt to balance or hang on to beam within 20 sec | 6 |
| Reflex absence and abnormal movements (normal, 0; maximum, 4) | |
| Pinna reflex (head shake when auditory meatus is touched) | 1 |
| Corneal reflex (eye blink when cornea is lightly touched with cotton) | 1 |
| Startle reflex (motor response to a brief knocking noise) | 1 |
| Seizures, myoclonus, myodystony | 1 |
Maximum points 18. One point is awarded for the inability to perform a tasks or for lack of a tested reflex (pinna reflex, corneal reflex, startle reflex). 13–18, severe injury; 7–12, moderate injury; 1–6, mild injury.