Alternative Methods to Animal Experiments

Animal Models in Neuroscience: What Is the “Culture of Care”?

“…Ethical dilemmas often arise in experimental designs that demand alignment with animal welfare principles and necessitate ongoing ethical reviews and consultations [86,88,89]. Technological limitations still tether specific research fields' reliance on AMs, delaying the transition to NAMs despite available advancements [90][91][92]. Instituting a culture of care also hinges on overcoming a cultural shift and obtaining stakeholder buy-in, demanding a paradigm shift in mindset and practices across all levels [86,88,89].…”

“…From Galen's pioneering anatomical studies to Pasteur's and Bernard's pivotal experiments, AMs have elucidated neurological functions and disease mechanisms [93][94][95]. The 20th century witnessed a paradigm shift with genetic modifications and refined studies on genes and diseases, while technological strides like MRI transformed non-invasive brain research [1,91,96,97]. Despite ethical considerations prompting the exploration of NAMs, the historical contributions of AMs remain indispensable to shaping our understanding of the brain [1,3,4,91,98].…”

“…Neuroscience researchers rely on sophisticated measurement tools and AMs as they grapple with the inherent complexity of organisms [100][101][102]. While cell cultures shed light on cellular mechanisms, organoids enable the study of cellular communication, synaptosomes aid in assessing synaptic function, and organs-on-chips simulate motion-neural interaction, none of the above can wholly emulate the intricacies of a peripheral nervous circuit, nuanced motor skills, or the complexities inherent in behaviors and cognitive functions [1,3,4,91,98]. AMs are indispensable tools for measuring and comprehensively studying these intricate aspects of the NS [103][104][105].…”

“…NAMs in neuroscience represents a pivotal shift in research paradigms, aiming to minimize or eliminate the use of animals while retaining scientific rigor [27,30,33,91]. These methods encompass diverse approaches, such as computer simulations, organoids, neural networks, and advanced imaging techniques like fMRI and PET scans [131,132].…”

“…They offer unique advantages, including cost effectiveness, reproducibility, and the ability to accurately replicate specific neural functions or diseases [27,29,32,87]. Moreover, these methods permit detailed and controlled investigations into cellular and molecular mechanisms without ethical concerns about animal use [27,30,33,91]. Embracing such alternatives is rooted in the culture of care, aligning with ethical principles by prioritizing the welfare of animals and promoting a more humane approach to neuroscience research [27,30,33,91].…”