Abstract
Vestibular pathologies are difficult to diagnose. Existing devices make it possible to quantify and follow the evolution of posturo-locomotor symptoms following vestibular loss in static conditions. However, today, there are no diagnostic tools allowing the quantitative and spontaneous analysis of these symptoms in dynamic situations. With this in mind, we used an open-field video tracking test aiming at identifying specific posturo-locomotor markers in a rodent model of vestibular pathology. Using Ethovision XT 14 software (Noldus), we identified and quantified several behavioral parameters typical of unilateral vestibular lesions in a rat model of vestibular pathology. The unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN) rat model reproduces the symptoms of acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy in humans. Our data show deficits in locomotion velocity, distance traveled and animal mobility in the first day after the injury. We also highlighted alterations in several parameters, such as head and body acceleration, locomotor pattern, and position of the body, as well as “circling” behavior after vestibular loss. Here, we provide an enriched posturo-locomotor phenotype specific to full and irreversible unilateral vestibular loss. This test helps to strengthen the quantitative evaluation of vestibular disorders in unilateral vestibular lesion rat model. It may also be useful for testing pharmacological compounds promoting the restoration of balance. Transfer of these novel evaluation parameters to human pathology may improve the diagnosis of acute unilateral vestibulopathies and could better follow the evolution of the symptoms upon pharmacological and physical rehabilitation.
Highlights
Unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN) induces characteristic vestibular syndrome, composed of oculomotor, posturo-locomotor, and cognitive deficits in a rodent model
UVN rats showed significant decreased in the total distance moved the first 3 days after UVN (Preop: 5897.88 ± 303.68; days 1 (Day 1): 1,034 ± 308, p < 0.001; day 2 (Day 2): 2,969 ± 419, p < 0.01; Day 3: 3,601 ± 530, p < 0.05)
From day 7 until day 30, the mean distance traveled by lesioned rats was significantly increased relative to that observed before UVN (Day 7: 8,209 ± 1,314, p < 0.05; Day 10: 10,127 ± 1,418, p < 0.001; Day 14: 10,475 ± 1,125, p < 0.001; Day 21: 9,633 ± 1,081, p < 0.001; Day 30: 10,222 ± 1,141, p < 0.001; Figure 3B) and significantly differed from the Sham group (Day 7: p < 0.01; Day 10: p < 0.001; Day 14: p < 0.001; Day 21: p < 0.001; Day 30: p < 0.001)
Summary
Unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN) induces characteristic vestibular syndrome, composed of oculomotor, posturo-locomotor, and cognitive deficits in a rodent model. The acute phase of vestibular syndrome in the UVN rodent model lasts several hours but may extend to days and is characterized by static and dynamic disorders (posturo-locomotor and oculomotor symptoms) in their most severe forms. This is followed by a partially compensated phase in which spontaneous resting activity recovers in neurons of the vestibular nuclei ipsilateral to the lesion. These data are well-documented in several reviews [1, 4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
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