Rotarod Forced Locomotion Assay During Chronic Electrophysiological Recording v1

This protocol describes a custom-built rotarod assay used to impose brief, time-locked bouts of forced locomotion during chronic in vivo electrophysiological recordings. The assay was designed to compare neuronal activity during reverse (backward stepping requirement) and forward locomotion in separate experimental blocks. Each recording session included: (1) baseline arena recording, (2) optotagging for neuronal identification, (3) acclimation sessions on the rotarod, (4) a rest period in the home cage, and (5) forced locomotion recording blocks.