Publications That Include MotoTrak Data
Explore studies using MotoTrak to measure forelimb function, motor learning, and recovery. Each citation links to the publication when a link is available.
Brain-Machine Interfaces
- Usoro et al. Decoding Neuronal Activity Using a Deep Neural Network to Predict Knob Supination Success. 2021 10th International IEEE/EMBS Conference on Neural Engineering (NER). 2021.
- Bilodeau et al. A Bidirectional Neural Interface With Direct On-Device Neuromorphic Decoding for Closed-Loop Optogenetics. BioRxiv (preprint). 2026.
Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Khodaparast et al. Vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training improves forelimb strength following ischemic stroke. Neurobiol Dis. 2013.
- Hays et al. The timing and amount of vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training affect post-stroke recovery of forelimb strength. Neuroreport. 2014.
- Hays et al. Vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training improves functional recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage. Stroke. 2014.
- Hays et al. The bradykinesia assessment task: An automated method to measure forelimb speed in rodents. J Neurosci Methods. 2014.
- Hays et al. The isometric pull task: A novel automated method for quantifying forelimb force generation in rats. J Neurosci Methods. 2014.
- Khodaparast et al. Vagus nerve stimulation delivered during motor rehabilitation improves recovery in a rat model of stroke. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2014.
- Khodaparast et al. Vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training improves forelimb recovery after chronic ischemic stroke in rats. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2015.
- Sloan et al. A within-animal comparison of skilled forelimb assessments in rats. PLoS One. 2015.
- Becker et al. An automated task for the training and assessment of distal forelimb function in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. J Neurosci Methods. 2016.
- Hays et al. Vagus nerve stimulation during rehabilitative training enhances recovery of forelimb function after ischemic stroke in aged rats. Neurobiol Aging. 2016.
- Meyers et al. The supination assessment task: An automated method for quantifying forelimb rotational function in rats. J Neurosci Methods. 2016.
- Meyers et al. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhances Stable Plasticity and Generalization of Stroke Recovery. Stroke. 2018.
- Becker et al. Forelimb Cortical Stroke Reduces Precision of Motor Control in Mice. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2020.
- Pruitt et al. Optimizing Dosing of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Stroke Recovery. Transl Stroke Res. 2020.
- Betz et al. Using Operant Reach Chambers to Assess Mouse Skilled Forelimb Use After Stroke. Neural Repair [Book]. 2023.
- Heiser et al. Brain-wide microstrokes affect the stability of memory circuits in the hippocampus. Nat Commun. 2025.
Methods
- Butensky et al. Dexterity: A MATLAB-based analysis software suite for processing and visualizing data from tasks that measure arm or forelimb function. J Neurosci Methods. 2017.
- Butensky et al. The Knob Supination Task: A Semi-automated Method for Assessing Forelimb Function in Rats. JOVE. 2017.
Motor Learning
- Hulsey et al. Reorganization of motor cortex by vagus nerve stimulation requires cholinergic innervation. Brain Stimulation. 2016.
- Pruitt et al. Forelimb training drives transient map reorganization in ipsilateral motor cortex. Behav Brain Res. 2016.
- Morrison et al. Vagus nerve stimulation intensity influences motor cortex plasticity. Brain Stimulation. 2018.
- Hulsey et al. Norepinephrine and serotonin are required for vagus nerve stimulation directed cortical plasticity. Exp Neurol. 2019.
- Tseng et al. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Promotes Cortical Reorganization and Reduces Task-Dependent Calorie Intake in Male and Female Rats. Brain Res. 2020.
- Serradj et al. Refinement of corticospinal neuron activity during skilled motor learning. BioRxiv. 2021.
- Tseng et al. Local activation of α2 adrenergic receptors is required for vagus nerve stimulation induced motor cortical plasticity. Scientific Reports. 2021.
- Serradj et al. Task-specific modulation of corticospinal neuron activity during motor learning in mice. Nat Commun. 2023.
- Tseng et al. Frequency specific optogenetic stimulation of the locus coeruleus induces task-relevant plasticity in the motor cortex. J Neurosci. 2023.
- Carroll et al. Vagus nerve stimulation during training fails to improve learning in healthy rats. Scientific Reports. 2024.
- Welch et al. Right vagus nerve stimulation promotes motor cortical plasticity. Scientific Reports. 2026.
Parkinson's Disease
- Swan et al. Beta frequency oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus are not sufficient for the development of symptoms of parkinsonian bradykinesia/akinesia in rats. eNeuro. 2019.
- Sanchez et al. Longitudinal Assessment of Skilled Forelimb Motor Impairments in DJ-1 Knockout Rats. Behav Brain Res. 2022.
Peripheral Nerve Injury
- Meyers et al. Median and ulnar nerve injuries reduce volitional forelimb strength in rats. Muscle & Nerve. 2017.
- Meyers et al. Enhancing plasticity in central networks improves motor and sensory recovery after nerve damage. Nat Commun. 2019.
- Adcock et al. Radial nerve injury causes long-lasting forelimb sensory impairment and motor dysfunction in rats. PAIN Reports. 2021.
- Adcock et al. Vagus nerve stimulation does not improve recovery of forelimb motor or somatosensory function in a model of neuropathic pain. Scientific Reports. 2022.
- Nicksic et al. Peripheral and Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation Improve Functional Outcomes of Nerve Recovery in a Rodent Forelimb Gap Repair Model. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023.
- Eftekari et al. Combined Central and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Improves Functional Recovery of Mixed Peripheral Nerve Injury in a Rat Forelimb Model. BioRxiv (preprint). 2025.
Rett Syndrome
- Adcock et al. Deficits in Skilled Motor and Auditory Learning in a Rat Model of Rett Syndrome. J Neurodev Disord. 2020.
Spinal Cord Injury
- Ganzer et al. Awake behaving electrophysiological correlates of forelimb hyperreflexia, weakness and disrupted muscular synchronization following cervical spinal cord injury in the rat. Behav Brain Res. 2016.
- Sindhurakar et al. An Automated Test of Rat Forelimb Supination Quantifies Motor Function Loss and Recovery After Corticospinal Injury. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2017.
- Ganzer et al. Closed-loop neuromodulation restores network connectivity and motor control after spinal cord injury. eLIFE. 2018.
- Darrow et al. Vagus Nerve Stimulation paired with rehabilitative training enhances motor recovery after bilateral spinal cord injury to cervical forelimb motor pools. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2020.
- Wheeler & Detloff. Assessing the Effect of Exercise on the Expression of Genes Associated with Macrophage Activation State and Cytokines in the Dorsal Root Ganglia after C5 Unilateral Contusion in Female Sprague Dawley Rats. ODC-SCI. 2025.
- Yan et al. Chronic Cervical Midline Contusion in Rats Disrupts Aerobic, Muscular, and Cardiovascular Function. BioRxiv (preprint). 2025.
Tactile Rehabilitation
- Darrow et al. The tactile experience paired with vagus nerve stimulation determines the degree of sensory recovery after chronic nerve damage. Behav Brain Res. 2021.
Traumatic Brain Injury
- Pruitt et al. Controlled-cortical impact reduces volitional forelimb strength in rats. Brain Res. 2014.
- Pruitt et al. Vagus nerve stimulation delivered with motor training enhances recovery of function after traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma. 2015.
- Pruitt et al. Traumatic brain injury occludes training-dependent cortical reorganization in the contralesional hemisphere. J NeuroTrauma. 2017.