IntelliCage provides voluntary exercise and an enriched environment, improving locomotive activity in mice following fluid percussion injury

Considerable evidence suggests that brain damage can lead to impairments in locomotive activity in human beings. However, no study has thoroughly investigated the locomotion and morphological changes in animals after IntelliCage Exposure (IE). Therefore, to elucidate the locomotive activity and morphological changes in striatum of mice models of fluid percussion injury (FPI), we designed a novel strategy and utilised an advanced neurobehavioral monitoring device known as the IE system. We observed locomotive functioning, from the induction of injury until complete recovery. To achieve the objectives, mice were divided into four groups, the (i) sham group (. n=. 8), (ii) FPI group (. n=. 8), and not subjected to acclimatisation in the IE, (iii) sham group (. n=. 11) and (iv) FPI group (. n=. 11), and subjected to acclimatisation in the IE. Locomotive activity was monitored for each group for 5. days. Results suggested that the neuronal damage associated with locomotive impairment could occur in the early hours (3-6. h) post-FPI. The process of recovery started significantly at 24. h and continued. Results showed a complete restoration in locomotive activity by the FPI mice at 72. h post-trauma. Morphological results suggested that FPI mice with IE showed less dead cells as compared to FPI mice without IE. Our data also suggested a new dimension for the factors influencing FPI recovery. We hypothesise that IE to FPI animals may provide the necessary enriched environment, induce motivated voluntary physical exercises, and enhance social interactions to accelerate striatum-derived neurogenesis. These factors could be beneficial in TBI-related therapeutic strategies.