Ketamine-induced rotational asymmetry in evaluation of motor disturbances in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Intraperitoneal injection of ketamine in subanesthetic doses to Wistar rats with unilateral occlusion of the middle cerebral artery caused ipsilateral rotation (2-10 rpm), which was recorded in an automatic rotameter. The optimal dose of ketamine was 50 mg/kg. The animals were examined in an automatic rotameter for 40 min. Motor asymmetry persisted for no less than 2 months after surgery. According to the neurological test (Menzies scale) motor asymmetry in animals with focal brain ischemia persisted for no more than 30 days. The degree of ketamine-induced motor asymmetry in intact rats was 0.10±0.03 rpm.