Preclinical data reproducibility for R&D—the challenge for neuroscience

The subchronic phencyclidine rat model: relevance for the assessment of novel therapeutics for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia

“…The present findings strongly support the importance of replication of studies within and even between labs to confirm both positive and negative findings (Steckler 2015). One of the aims of NEWMEDS was to use the power of multi-site studies to help understand whether a model or a paradigm would have a robust and reproducible effect.…”

Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in a Mouse Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Stress with Touchscreen-Based Automated Battery System

“…However, the method of cognitive behavioral testing in animal models remains limited, mostly for measuring spatial cognitive ability. Trustworthy and reproducible analysis of animal learning and behavior is an important factor for basic and translational neuroscience research [2930]. Current advancement inoperant chamber technology, such as the touchscreen testing system, has resulted in the expending use of these automated systems with computerized data accumulation and analysis facilities.…”

Toward more predictive genetic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

“…The ongoing criticisms of the lack of ability to reproduce scientific data has been a frustrating reality; in particular to those who are experts in the field of behavioral neuroscience and who can recognize the lack of important environmental and experimental details not described in the initially reported datasets [74, 75]. While criticisms have often focused on those that are unable to reproduce the initial discovery, it is just as likely that the originally published datasets were not necessarily produced under the optimal conditions or with the appropriate controls that deem it reproducible in the first place; notwithstanding the lack of critical details published in the methods sections [75–79].…”

“…While criticisms have often focused on those that are unable to reproduce the initial discovery, it is just as likely that the originally published datasets were not necessarily produced under the optimal conditions or with the appropriate controls that deem it reproducible in the first place; notwithstanding the lack of critical details published in the methods sections [75–79]. Poorly conducted behavioral studies often performed by minimally experienced scientists with limited training in behavioral pharmacology, driven by pressures to provide functionally translational and relevant endpoints for molecular findings often leads to rushed experiments without proper controls and optimized testing conditions [80].…”