Elsevier

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

Volume 260, 15 February 2016, Pages 2-25
Journal of Neuroscience Methods

Basic neuroscience
Opportunities for improving animal welfare in rodent models of epilepsy and seizures

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.09.007Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Report of an expert Working Group to identify opportunities for refining rodent models of epilepsy.

  • Based upon a survey of epilepsy community, literature review and expert opinion.

  • Background information and recommendations provided to improve animal welfare.

  • Practical guidance on refinement opportunities (e.g. induction, recordings, perioperative care).

Abstract

Animal models of epilepsy and seizures, mostly involving mice and rats, are used to understand the pathophysiology of the different forms of epilepsy and their comorbidities, to identify biomarkers, and to discover new antiepileptic drugs and treatments for comorbidities. Such models represent an important area for application of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use). This report provides background information and recommendations aimed at minimising pain, suffering and distress in rodent models of epilepsy and seizures in order to improve animal welfare and optimise the quality of studies in this area. The report includes practical guidance on principles of choosing a model, induction procedures, in vivo recordings, perioperative care, welfare assessment, humane endpoints, social housing, environmental enrichment, reporting of studies and data sharing. In addition, some model-specific welfare considerations are discussed, and data gaps and areas for further research are identified. The guidance is based upon a systematic review of the scientific literature, survey of the international epilepsy research community, consultation with veterinarians and animal care and welfare officers, and the expert opinion and practical experience of the members of a Working Group convened by the United Kingdom's National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

Keywords

3Rs
Animal model
Epilepsy
Mouse
Rat
Refinement
Seizure

Cited by (0)

Report of a Working Group of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

1

All authors are members of the NC3Rs working group on mammalian models of epilepsy (www.nc3rs.org.uk/epilepsy).