wooden pole-Basic

The wooden pole-Basic is a purpose-built apparatus for the standard mouse pole test, a simple vertical pole on which mice are placed and timed while they turn and descend. It provides a reproducible platform to quantify motor coordination, balance and bradykinesia in rodent models of neurological disease.

Scientific Background

The pole test is an established behavioural assay widely used in preclinical neuroscience to assess deficits in motor control originating from nigrostriatal dysfunction. Time-to-turn and time-to-descend are sensitive readouts of bradykinesia and postural control in mouse models of Parkinson's disease (PD) such as 6-OHDA lesion, MPTP exposure, α-synuclein overexpression or preformed fibril (PFF) inoculation, and genetic models (LRRK2, Parkin). Because the task places minimal cognitive demand, it isolates motoric components and complements other paradigms (rotarod, beam-walk, gait analysis, cylinder test). The wooden pole-Basic is designed to match dimensions and surface texture specified in published protocols to facilitate cross-study comparison and reproducibility.

Key Features

• Solid hardwood construction with a fine-textured surface to provide consistent grip and reduce variability in descent time across trials.
• Standard vertical geometry compatible with established protocols, enabling direct comparison with literature data.
• Stable base plate that secures the pole vertically and minimizes vibration, providing a repeatable testing environment for precise timing.
• Non-toxic, solvent-resistant finish suitable for routine cleaning and disinfection (ethanol/bleach-compatible).
• Compact footprint and lightweight design for easy integration into behavioral suites, video-tracking rigs, and stereotaxic setups.
• Open architecture facilitates simultaneous high-speed video capture, machine-vision tracking, or synchronization with electrophysiology and optogenetic stimulation.
• Simple assembly and minimal maintenance — no electronics — making it suitable as a baseline device for budget-conscious labs.

Applications

• Quantification of bradykinesia and motor coordination in PD models: 6-OHDA, MPTP, α-synuclein, LRRK2, Parkin knockout mice.
• Preclinical assessment of neuroprotective or symptomatic therapies targeting nigrostriatal circuits.
• Correlation of behavioral metrics with in vivo imaging modalities such as PET, fiber photometry, and miniscope calcium imaging.
• Integration with electrophysiology or EMG recordings to relate descent kinematics to neural activity in motor cortex and basal ganglia.
• Comparative studies across behavioral paradigms (rotarod, open field, beam walk, gait analysis) to dissociate motor impairment components.
• Training and phenotyping in genetic models where subtle motor deficits require sensitive, low-stress assays.

Researchers choose BrainScience equipment for its adherence to experimental standards, robust materials suited to laboratory use, and design that facilitates reproducible neuroscience research. The wooden pole-Basic offers a practical, protocol-compatible solution for investigators requiring a reliable, easy-to-integrate pole test apparatus in behavioral and translational studies.