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Table 2 Neurological Severity Score

From: Impact of nutrition on inflammation, tauopathy, and behavioral outcomes from chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Task

Description

Score (success/failure)

Exit circle

Ability and initiative to exit a circle of 30 cm in diameter within 3 min

 

Monoparesis/hemiparesis

Assess paresis of upper and/or lower limb

0/1

Straight walk/gait

Initiative and motor ability to walk straight

 

Startle reflex

Innate reflex assessment; mouse should bounce in response to a loud hand clap

0/1

Seeking behavior

Physiological behavior as a sign of “interest” in the environment

 

Beam balancing

Ability to balance on a beam of 7 mm in width for at least 10 s

0/1

Round stick balancing

Ability to balance on a round stick of 5 mm in diameter for at least 10 s

 

Beam walk: 3 cm

Ability to cross a 30-cm-long beam: 3-cm-wide beam

0/1

Beam walk: 2 cm

Ability to cross a 30-cm-long beam (increased difficulty): 2-cm-wide beam

 

Beam walk: 1 cm

Ability to cross a 30-cm-long beam (increased difficulty): 1-cm-wide beam

0/1

Total score

 

Of 10

  1. Adapted from [29]. One point is awarded for the lack of a tested reflex or for the inability to perform the tasks outlined in the table, and no point for succeeding. A maximal Neurological Severity Score (NSS) of 10 points thus indicates severe neurological dysfunction, with failure of all tasks, and a normal healthy mouse would get a score of a zero on the tasks above. Roughly, NSS score: 1–4, mild TBI; 5–7, moderate TBI; 8–10, severe TBI