Table 2 Neurological severity scores (NSS)

Raising rat by the tail (normal = 0; maximum = 3)

 Flexion of forelimb

1

 Flexion of hindlimb

1

 Head moved >10° to vertical axis within 30 s

1

 Normal walk

0

 Inability to walk straight

1

 Circling toward the paretic side

2

 Fall down to the paretic side

3

 Placing test (visual and tactile test)

1

 Proprioceptive test (deep sensation, pushing the paw against the table edge to stimulate limb muscles)

2

 Balances with steady posture

0

 Grasps side of beam

1

 Hugs the beam and one limb falls down from the beam

2

 Hugs the beam and two limbs fall down from the beam, or spins on beam (>60 s)

3

 Attempts to balance on the beam but falls off (>40 s)

4

 Attempts to balance on the beam but falls off (>20 s)

5

 Falls off: no attempt to balance or hang on to the beam (<20 s)

6

 Pinna reflex (head shake when touching the auditory meatus)

1

 Corneal reflex (eye blink when lightly touching the cornea with cotton)

1

 Startle reflex (motor response to a brief noise from snapping a clipboard paper)

1

 Seizures, myoclonus, myodystony

1

Maximum points

18