Gait Analysis
Overview
Automated gait analysis systems such as the CatWalk provide a comprehensive, quantitative assessment of locomotor function by recording paw prints as the animal traverses an illuminated glass walkway. The system captures spatial parameters (stride length, base of support, print area), temporal parameters (stance duration, swing duration, cadence), and coordination indices (step sequence regularity, phase dispersions) — generating a multidimensional gait profile from a single crossing.
Gait analysis is uniquely powerful for detecting lateralized motor deficits, compensatory postural adjustments, and pain-related gait alterations that simpler motor tests cannot resolve. It distinguishes between cerebellar ataxia (irregular step patterns), Parkinsonian gait (shortened stride, reduced swing speed), neuropathic pain (guarding of affected paw), and spinal cord injury (dragging, abnormal coordination).
ConductMaze interfaces with walkway sensor hardware to capture footprint images in real time, classify paw identity (LF, RF, LH, RH), and compute all gait parameters automatically. The software provides run validation (speed filters, minimum step count), multi-run averaging, and bilateral symmetry analysis for unilateral lesion models.
Trial Flow
Place Subject
Place animal at walkway entrance, goal box at far end
Voluntary Crossing
Animal walks across illuminated glass floor
Paw Detection
Camera captures illuminated paw prints from below
Run Validation
Speed within range? Minimum steps met?
Paw Classification
Software assigns LF/RF/LH/RH to each print
Parameter Extraction
Compute stride, base, timing, coordination
Next Run / End
Repeat for 3-6 compliant runs, then export
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Speed | cm/s | 10 | Lower speed threshold for valid run inclusion |
| Maximum Speed | cm/s | 60 | Upper speed threshold (excludes running) |
| Compliant Runs | integer | 3 | Number of speed-compliant runs required per session |
| Minimum Steps | integer | 6 | Minimum consecutive step cycles for run validation |
| Walkway Length | cm | 60 | Length of the recording area on the glass walkway |
| Camera Frame Rate | fps | 100 | Acquisition rate for footprint image capture |
| Speed Variation Max | % | 40 | Maximum within-run speed variation for compliance |
Metrics
| Metric | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stride Length | cm | Distance between successive placements of the same paw — primary gait parameter |
| Base of Support | cm | Width between left and right paw placements (forelimb or hindlimb) |
| Swing Duration | seconds | Time the paw is in the air between stances |
| Stance Duration | seconds | Time the paw is in contact with the surface |
| Print Area | mm² | Contact area of paw during peak stance — pain sensitivity index |
| Regularity Index | % | Percentage of steps following normal step sequence patterns |
| Cadence | steps/s | Number of paw placements per second |
| Duty Cycle | % | Stance time as percentage of stride cycle |
Sample Data
| Subject | Group | Paw | Stride_cm | Base_cm | Swing_s | Stance_s | Print_mm2 |
|---|
Representative data for illustration purposes. Actual values will vary by species, strain, and experimental conditions.
Applications
- 1Spinal cord injury — quantifying locomotor recovery and coordination deficits
- 2Neuropathic pain — reduced print area and guarding as objective pain endpoints
- 3Parkinson disease — shortened stride length and asymmetric gait in unilateral lesion models
- 4Peripheral neuropathy — distal motor and sensory deficits reflected in gait parameters
- 5Stroke rehabilitation — tracking recovery of coordinated locomotion over time
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