Behavioral Findings during Recovery after Experimental Stroke in Monkeys-Assessment with Modified Hand Performance Test-

Abstract

It is still unclear how rehabilitative intervention assists recovery from strokes. In order to address this question, we made an animal model to examine the recovery process after experimental strokes. The forelimb movements in 2 monkeys retrieving food from a well were analyzed with a videotape recording. A small infarction by coagulation of blood vessels was made in the forelimb areas after mapping of the primary motor areas. The recovery process was evaluated by measuring the time required for taking food. We used the modified Klüver board with the small diameter in order to restrict the monkeys' compensatory movements such as pronation or supination. After the infarction, the monkeys could not use their impaired hands for the first 2 days. Failure to retrieve food and compensatory movements such as involvement of other joints were often observed during the first week. However, the forelimb function of both monkeys showed no significant impairments on the 6th week, compared to the results before the infarction. Throughout the experiments, the monkeys showed no supination or pronation of the forearm. These results suggest that this animal model with the modified Klüver board may be useful for the evaluation of motor deficit.