Grip Strength

The Grip Strength test is used to evaluate motor function and deficit in rodent models of CNS disorders. The animal’s paws are placed on a wire grid, which the animal will naturally hold on to while its tail is gently pulled backwards. The maximum strength of the grip prior to grip release is recorded. The test is performed in three sessions per week with each session consisting of three trials. The animal’s average performance for each session is presented as the average of the three trials. Testing typically lasts one week, but can continue up to three weeks. This test is used to phenotype strains of transgenic mice and evaluate novel chemical entities for their effect on motor performance.