The sunflower seed test: A simple procedure to evaluate forelimb motor dysfunction after brain ischemia

We have previously shown that sequential common carotid artery sectioning (SCAS) in mice produces a persistent forelimb flexion. Here, we have extended that study to show that upper limb motor dysfunction after SCAS can be easily quantified with the sunflower seed test. We found that the second artery occlusion significantly increases the time to reach food and that most animals failed or took a longer time to successfully consume the seed with no evidence of recovery (96 h). These alterations were apparently due to paw and fingers impairments during holding and manipulation of the seed. We view the sunflower seed test as a sensitive, simple, and economic procedure to assess forelimb motor function after brain ischemia.