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. 2017 Jun 15;7:3575. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-03909-0

Table 1.

Modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS).

Points
Motor tests
 Raising rat by tail 3
 Flexion of forelimb 1
 Flexion of hindlimb 1
 Head moved > 10° to vertical axis within 30 s 1
Placing rat on floor (normal =  0; maximum = 3) 3
 Normal walk 0
 Inability to walk straight 1
 Circling toward the paretic side 2
 Fall down to the paretic side 3
Sensory tests 2
 Placing test (visual and tactile test) 1
 Proprioceptive test (deep sensation, pushing paw against table edge to stimulate limb muscles) 1
 Beam balance tests (normal =  0; maximum =  6) 6
 Balances with steady posture 0
 Grasps side of beam 1
 Hugs beam and 1 limb falls down from beam 2
 Hugs beam and 2 limbs fall down from beam, or spins on beam (å 60 s) 3
 Attempts to balance on beam but falls off (å 40 s) 4
 Attempts to balance on beam but falls off (å 20 s) 5
 Falls off; No attempt to balance or hang on to beam (20 s) 6
Reflex absence and abnormal movements 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 noise from snapping a clipboard paper) 1
 Seizures, myoclonus, myodystony 1
Maximum points 18

One point is awarded for the inability to perform the tasks or for lack of a tested reflex, 13–18, severe injury; 7–12, moderate injury; 1–6, mild injury.