Assessment of Sensorimotor Behaviour in Konzo-Induced Rats Using the Irvine, Beattie Bresnahan Forelimb Scale

Konzo is a neurological disorder of selective upper motor neurons. It an irreversible paralytic disease associated with prolonged consumption Cassava. contains cyanogenic glycosides metabolized to hydrogen cyanide, which has been shown by studies affect the neurons central nervous system. The Irvine, Beattie Bresnahan (IBB) scale recently developed forelimb for assessment fine control and digits after cervical spinal cord injury such as Konzo. 20 Adult male Wistar rats were assigned 4 experimental groups (i) n=5, (ii) konzo-induced group (iii) induced + Complan n=5 (iv) Induced Bambara Nut (Okpa). bitter cassava foods taken oral ingestion period weeks. done using specific parameters Predominant Elbow Joint movement, Contact Volar Support, Grasping method. body weight animals was also recorded every week. data obtained analyzed ANOVA. result showed that there significant difference (p<0.05) between rehabilitated milk nut when compared unrehabilitated Konzo-induced group. There differences in results being tested scaling. IBB confirmed high level cyanide content affected behavioral attributes it can be ameliorated use (Okpa) concluded insufficiently processed toxic neurotoxicity effects on Spinal Cord especially capable measuring gradual improvements functions this model may new effective tool peripheral nerve injury.