Spasticity – Spa Mouse Model
Study novel interventions to improve physical performance in patients affected by muscular Spasticity using the Spa mouse model
Spasticity refers to stiff or rigid skeletal muscle tone which affects skeletal muscle contraction, movement, speech and other daily activities. Spasticity is a symptom that is present in several diseases that affect the neuromuscular system, namely Cerebral palsy, and Amyothropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Furthermore, spasticity can also arise due to trauma, such as spinal cord injury (SCI) or stroke.
As such, spasticity can be modelled using InnoSer’s Spa mouse model which is characterised by a spontaneous spasticity-associated mutation, resulting in early-onset hypertonia. The Spa mouse presents symptoms of spasticity at 2 weeks of age and can reach adult age, making this mouse model highly suitable for therapies aimed to improve skeletal muscle function across multiple conditions or diseases.
Take advantage of InnoSer’s expertise in modelling neuromuscular disease pathology, flexibility and collaborative approach for your research. Our in-house neurology experts are happy to help guide your decision on study design fit for your current research goals.
Spa mouse model key characteristics:
- Spa mice have a hereditary spastic mutation (B6.Cg-Glrbspa/J).
- Spastic mice display a series of abnormalities, such, including abnormal gait, impaired hind limb motor function, reduced physical activity.
- Spa mice show skeletal muscle morphology alterations (i.e., muscle mass decrease along with a decrease in the cross-sectional area of myofibers).
- Model is extensively characterised (published together with Rivares et al, 2020).
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Key readouts in the Spa mouse model
Test the efficacy of your treatments with the following commonly used behavioral tests:
Example data featuring the Spa mouse model
CatWalk Automated Gait Analysis: Gait and footprint analysis of Spa mice
At all ages, the gait of spastic mice was characterized by shorter stride lengths, smaller print- length, and width (P<0.001) together with a lower contact intensity (P<0.01). Spastic mice showed an irregular order of front and hind-limb placements (P<0.001).
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