Novel method for evaluating mouse facial nerve function using commercial products and free software

概要

The evaluation of the motor function of vibrissae is commonly conducted to evaluate the degree of nerve regeneration after facial nerve injury in mice and rats. Using this technique, a paralysis score is determined visually. Vibrissae movement in mice is very fast making objective and accurate evaluation difficult to perform. Recently, there are reports where the whisking movement is captured on video and the motion analyzed. However, the construction of systems like these are expensive and time consuming, therefore, we have developed a method whereby the evaluation of whisker movement can be easily performed.

In this study, we aimed to produce an image analysis system from readily available components. We utilized a commercially available digital camera that was capable of performing high-resolution imaging at 480 frames per second（fps）. We fabricated a locking device with acrylic plates and using KINOVEA, a free software, we could automatically track the movement of the nose tip, the whisker root, and the central part of the whisker, and analyze the respective angles of each area of interest. In addition, we found that high-speed imaging was possible at the required time frames.