Table 2.

Neurological severity scores (NSS)

	Points
Motor tests
Raising rat by the tail (normal = 0; maximum = 3)
Flexion of forelimb	1
Flexion of hindlimb	1
Head moved >10° to vertical axis within 30 s	1
Placing rat on the floor (normal = 0; maximum = 3)
Normal walk	0
Inability to walk straight	1
Circling toward the paretic side	2
Fall down to the paretic side	3
Sensory tests (normal = 0; maximum = 2)
Placing test (visual and tactile test)	1
Proprioceptive test (deep sensation, pushing the paw against the table edge to stimulate limb muscles)	2
Beam balance tests (normal = 0; maximum = 6)
Balances with steady posture	0
Grasps side of beam	1
Hugs the beam and one limb falls down from the beam	2
Hugs the beam and two limbs fall down from the beam, or spins on beam (>60 s)	3
Attempts to balance on the beam but falls off (>40 s)	4
Attempts to balance on the beam but falls off (>20 s)	5
Falls off: no attempt to balance or hang on to the beam (<20 s)	6
Reflexes absent and abnormal movements (normal = 0; maximum = 4)
Pinna reflex (head shake when touching the auditory meatus)	1
Corneal reflex (eye blink when lightly touching the cornea with cotton)	1
Startle reflex (motor response to a brief noise from snapping a clipboard paper)	1
Seizures, myoclonus, myodystony	1
Maximum points	18