Table 1.

Neurobehavioral Tests

Behavioral Test	Scoring	References
Vibrissae-elicited forelimb placing test: detects impairments in visual placing and limb use asymmetry	The observed ability of ipsilateral (right) and contralateral (left) placing of the forepaw on top of the table was scored as: 0 = no attempt to place forepaw, 1 = weak attempt to place forepaw, or 2 = normal placing of forepaw. Scores were averaged across four consecutive trials of each limb and converted to percent placing.	Markgraf et al., 1992; Schallert et al., 2000; Hua et al., 2002; Woodlee et al., 2005
Spontaneous forelimb use: used to assess walking score, general limb use, and limb neglect	The observed use of ipsilateral and contralateral forelimbs and hindlimbs, were scored and averaged as: 0 = no movement of limb; 1 = barely perceptible movement of limb; 2 = movement, but limb does not support weight; 3 = limb supports weight and animal takes a few steps; 4 = animal walks with mild paresis; 5 = normal limb use, no detectable deficits. Scores were averaged across four consecutive trials of each limb and converted to percentage limb use.	Burkey et al., 1996; Bland et al., 2000; Bland et al., 2001
Toe Spread: used to assess gross motor function	Mice were elevated by the tail and the amount of toe spread observed in ipsilateral and contralateral forelimbs and hindlimbs were scored as: 0 = no spreading; 1 = intermediate spreading; 2 = sustained spreading of all toes. Scores were averaged across four consecutive trials of each limb and converted to percent toe spread.	Nitz et al., 1986; Brenneis et al., 2013
Catalepsy Grid Test: used to assess rigid/cataleptic body postures	A wire grid 28 × 14 cm was tilted at a 45°angle inside a testing chamber and mice were placed on the grid facing down. The time before mice begin to move downward or turn and face upward (negative geotaxis) on the grid was recorded in seconds across a 2 min observation period.	Fuenmayor and Vogt, 1979; Saposnik et al., 1999
Open Field Test: used to assess gross motor and exploratory locomotive behavior	Open field locomotor activity was assessed for 15 minutes in a circular open field (60 cm arena diameter, 30 cm wall height). Horizontal locomotion data was obtained with ANY-maze automated tracking software (Stoelting, Wood Dale, IL), total distance traveled and speed were recorded during spontaneous exploration.	Brooks and Dunnett, 2009; Seibenhener and Wooten, 2015
Corner Test: used to assess sensory- motor deficits and postural asymmetry	Mice were placed in a Plexiglas chamber, with two walls (30 × 20 × 1 cm3), attached at a 30°angle with an opening along the joint to encourage corner entry. When vibrissae are stimulated upon entry into the corner, mice would rear along the wall and exit the corner, turning either right or left. Non-ischemic mice turn either left or right, but ischemic mice preferentially turn toward the non-impaired, ipsilateral (right) side. The number of left and right turns was recorded for 10 trials and score was calculated as percentage of right turns; turns in the absence of vertical rearing were not scored.	Zhang et al., 2002; Balkaya et al., 2013