Table 2.
Modified DeSimoni neuroscore for the assessment of general deficits
| No. | General versus focal deficits | Objective | Assessment/instruction | Score = 0 | Score = 1 | Score = 2 | Score = 3 | Score = 4 | Summative score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General deficits | Hair | Mouse observed on open bench top (OS). Observation with no interference | Hair neat and clean | Lack of grooming, piloerection and dirt on the fur around nose and eyes | Lack of grooming, piloerection, and dirty coat, extending beyond just nose and eyes | 0–2 | ||
| 2 | General deficits | Ears | Mouse on OS. Observation at the beginning with no interference and then stimulation by clicking one's tongue | Normal. Ears are stretched laterally and behind. They react by straightening up after noise | Stretched laterally but not behind (one or both). They react to noise | Same as 1. They do not react to noise | 0–2 | ||
| 3 | General deficits | Eyes | Mouse on OS. Observation with no interference or stimulation | Open and clear (no discharge) | Open and characterized by milky white mucus | Open and characterized by milky dark mucus | Eyes clotted (one or both sides) | Closed | 0–4 |
| 4 | General deficits | Posture | Place the mouse on the palm of your hand and rock gently to observe stability | The mouse stands in the upright position on four limbs with the back parallel to the palm. During the rocking movement, it uses its limbs to stabilize itself | The mouse stands humpbacked. During the rocking movement, it lowers its body instead of using its limbs to gain stability | The head or part of the trunk lies on the palm | The mouse reclines to one side but may be able to turn to an upright position with some difficulty | No upright position possible | 0–4 |
| 5 | General deficits | Spontaneous Activity | Mouse on OS. Observation with no interference or stimulation | The mouse is alert and explores actively | The mouse seems alert, but it is calm and quiet | The mouse starts and stops exploring repeatedly and slowly. The mouse is listless, moves sluggishly but does not explore | The mouse is lethargic or stuporous and barely moves during the 60 s | No spontaneous movements | 0–4 |
| 0–16 |