4.4. Behavioural Analysis

A von Frey filament test was employed to evaluate hypersensitivity to a mechanic stimuli. The apparatus consists in a plastic box placed on a metal mesh floor and a force transducer equipped with a plastic tip [44,45,46]. After 15 min of acclimation the transducer was applied to the plantar surface until a sharp lift was observed. The mechanical threshold was recorded.

A plantar test was employed to evaluate thermal hyperalgesia. The apparatus consists of plastic chambers and a mobile unit with a heat source [47,48]. After 15 min of habituation, the heat source was applied to the plantar surface and the paw withdrawal latency was recorded.

A rotarod test was employed to evaluate motor coordination. The apparatus consists of a horizontally oriented rotating cylinder suspended above a cage floor [49]. A training session was performed 24 h before test. The test was performed starting from a constant speed of 25 rpm, then the rotation was increased linearly at 20 rpm. The latency(s) for the first fall over a 4 min period was recorded.