Adhesive Removal Test to assess sensorimotor deficits in parkinsonian mice

Total duration: 4 days

Place the animal cage in the testing room to allow the animals to acclimate. 1h 0m 0s

Acclimating mice to testing box. 0h 1m 0s

Apply the two adhesive tape strips with equal pressure on each animal paw so that they cover the hairless part of the forepaws. Place the adhesive in alternate order (right or left) each day and randomize it within each group. 0h 3m 0s

Video record the animal’s behavior in the testing cage. 0h 2m 0s

The contact time is defined as the point that the mouse reacts to the presence of the adhesive tape strips. For each adhesive, the mouse may start by either shaking its paws and/or directly bring its paws to its mouth. Both behaviours indicate that the mouse has felt the adhesive tape and represent the end of the time to contact. Time 1: when the mouse has felt the first piece of tape. Time 2: when the second piece of tape is felt.

Continue to observe the animal’s behavior in the testing cage. The mouse may use its mouth, and to a lesser extent the other forelimb, to attempt to remove the adhesives. Time 3: when the first piece of tape is removed. Time 4: when the second piece of tape is removed. Distinguish between right and left paw for comparisons.

Return the mouse to its cage. After 24 h, repeat the procedure.

Different analysis can be made:

• Mean Time to Notice (T1,T2)

• Mean Time to Remove (T3,T4 - T1,T2)

Compare Mean Time to Notice vs Mean Time to Remove

Tip: in the post-analysis: you can distinguish between right and left paw for comparisons. This helps to detect limb differences.

Example:

• Mean Time to Notice Right (T1)

• Mean Time to remove Right (T3)

• Mean Time to Notice Left (T2)

• Mean Time to remove Left (T4)