Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) Behavioral Analysis

Basso Mouse Scale was designed to evaluate the recovery of motor function of hindlimb following SCI. Mice were recorded in an open field and two independent raters were blinded to the groups of treatment. Multiple aspects of locomotion were accessed including ankle movements, trunk position and stability, stepping pattern and coordination, paw placement and tail position, with a minimum score of 0 (no ankle movement) to a maximum score of 9 (complete functional recovery). The test was carried out pre-operatively and on post-operative days 1, 3, 7 and then weekly until day 28.