Functional observation battery assessments in CNS safety pharmacology studies
| Observation category | Assessment | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Home cage observations | Posture, convulsions/tremors, biting, eyelid closure, feces consistency | None |
| Handling observations | Ease of removal from cage, ease of handling animal in hand, lacrimation/chromodacryorrhea, salivation, piloerection, fur appearance, palpebral closure, respiratory rate/character, eye prominence, mucous membranes/eye/skin color, red/crusty deposits, muscle tone | None |
| Open field observations | Mobility, rearing, convulsions/tremors, grooming, bizarre/stereotypic behavior, time to first step (seconds), gait, gait score, arousal, backing, urination/defecation | None |
| Sensory observations | Approach response, touch response, startle response, tail pinch response, pupil response, eyeblink response, forelimb extension, hindlimb extension, air righting reflex, olfactory orientation | None |
| Neuromuscular observations | Hindlimb extensor strength, hindlimb foot splay, grip strength (hind- and forelimb), rotarod performance | None |
| Physiologic observations | Catalepsy, body temperature, body weight | None |