Table 1 To evaluate post-SCI locomotor function, the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) score for rodents was used [11]. Animals were tested at 1, 3 and 7 dpi. Two blinded observers scored each rat in an open field box

0

No observable hindlimb (HL) movement

1

Slight movement of one or two joints, usually the hip and/or knee

2

Extensive movement of one joint or extensive movement of one joint and slight movement of one other joint

3

Extensive movement of two joints

4

Slight movement of all three joints of the HL

5

Slight movement of two joints and extensive movement of the third

6

Extensive movement of two joints and slight movement of the third

7

Extensive movement of all three joints of the HL

8

Sweeping with no weight support or plantar placement of the paw with no weight support

9

Plantar placement of the paw with weight support in stance only (i.e., when stationary) or occasional, frequent, or consistent weight supported dorsal stepping and no plantar stepping

10

Occasional weight supported plantar steps, no forelimb (FL)-HL coordination

11

Frequent to consistent weight supported plantar steps and no FL-HL coordination

12

Frequent to consistent weight supported plantar steps and occasional FL-HL coordination

13

Frequent to consistent weight supported plantar steps and frequent FL-HL coordination

14

Consistent weight supported plantar steps, consistent FL-HL coordination; and predominant paw position during locomotion is rotated (internally or externally) when it makes initial contact with the surface as well as just before it is lifted off at the end of stance or frequent plantar stepping, consistent FL-HL coordination, and occasional dorsal stepping

15

Consistent plantar stepping and consistent FL-HL coordination; and no toe clearance or occasional toe clearance during forward limb advancement; predominant paw position is parallel to the body at initial contact

16

Consistent plantar stepping and consistent FL-HL coordination during gait; and toe clearance occurs frequently during forward limb advancement; predominant paw position is parallel at initial contact and rotated at lift off

17

Consistent plantar stepping and consistent FL-HL coordination during gait; and toe clearance occurs frequently during forward limb advancement; predominant paw position is parallel at initial contact and lift off

18

Consistent plantar stepping and consistent FL-HL coordination during gait; and toe clearance occurs consistently during forward limb advancement; predominant paw position is parallel at initial contact and rotated at lift off

19

Consistent plantar stepping and consistent FL-HL coordination during gait; and toe clearance occurs consistently during forward limb advancement; predominant paw position is parallel at initial contact and lift off; and tail is down part or all of the time

20

Consistent plantar stepping and consistent coordinated gait; consistent toe clearance; predominant paw position is parallel at initial contact and lift off; tail consistently up; and trunk instability

21

Consistent plantar stepping and coordinated gait, consistent toe clearance, predominant paw position is parallel throughout stance, consistent trunk stability, tail consistently up