Development of a Method to Evaluate the Effects of Rehabilitation on Patients with Spinocerebellar Degeneration Using a Mouse Model of Cerebellar Ataxia

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The mouse model developed in this study may be applicable to patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) involving motor ataxia due to cerebellar Purkinje cell degeneration. Appropriate methods of rehabilitation for SCD patients to improve their motor functions have not yet been established, and, therefore, priority is given to the maintenance of functions other than the spinocerebellar system at present. Considering such a situation, in the study, the mouse was treated with simulation rehabilitation training, and a rotarod test was subsequently performed to evaluate its balance ability and coordinated movements in comparison with those without training. As a result, training with exercise improved the mouse’s coordinated movements, suggesting thatcontinuous gait training may reduce SCD patients’ staggering gait.