Locomotor function of rats from SC, BDNF, CNTF and NT3 groups prior to surgery (PS), and at one (W1) and eight (W8) weeks after surgery, was analyzed from digitized recordings using the Ratwalk® software.

<p>Two quantitative parameters generated by this software were analyzed: stance width (A–D) and step length (E–H). There were significant differences in both parameters in distances involving the injured left hindlimbs. Namely, the stance width of hindlimbs (rh-lh) in the CNTF group significantly increased from PS (* in C) to W1 and W8, and in the NT3 group it was significantly greater in W8 (* in D) than in both W1 and PS. Regarding the step length on the left (lf-lh), in the NT3 group there was a significant increase (* in H) from PS to W8. There were no significant differences in either the SC or BDNF groups on the two gait parameters analyzed. Values represent M ± SEM of n = 4; p<0.05.