Publications

Individually customisable non-invasive head immobilisation system for non-human primates with an option for voluntary engagement

Background: Head immobilisation is often necessary for neuroscientific procedures. A number of Non-invasive Head Immobilisation Systems (NHIS) for monkeys are available, but the need remains for a feasible integrated system combining a broad range of essential features. New Method: We...

Year Published: 2016Topics: External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Slater, H., Milne, A. E., Wilson, B. et al. 2016. Individually customisable non-invasive head immobilisation system for non-human primates with an option for voluntary engagement. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 269, 46-60.

The development of a non-invasive behavioral model of thermal heat stress in laboratory mice (Mus musculus)

Background: Many behavioral and physiological studies of laboratory mice employ invasive methods such as radio telemetry to measure key aspects of behavior and physiology. Radio telemetry requires surgical implants, which may impact mouse health and behavior, and thus reduce the...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Disease/Experimental ModelAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Mufford, J. T., Paetkau, M.J., Flood, N.J. et al. 2016. The development of a non-invasive behavioral model of thermal heat stress in laboratory mice (Mus musculus). Journal of Neuroscience Methods 268, 189-195.

Protective cranial implant caps for macaques

Background: Neuroscience studies with macaque monkeys may require cranial implants to stabilize the head or gain access to the brain for scientific purposes. Wound management that promotes healing after the cranial implant surgery in non-human primates can be difficult as...

Year Published: 2021Topics: External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Perry, B. A. L., Mason, S., Nacef, J. et al. 2021. Protective cranial implant caps for macaques. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 348, 108992.

Effective chair training methods for neuroscience research involving rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Background: Neuroscience research using macaques remains fundamental in our endeavours to understand how the human brain functions. Applying the refinement principle of the 3Rs is essential to optimise the monkeys' welfare and still produces high quality science. New Method: Here...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Animal Training, RestraintAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Mason, S., Premereur, E., Pelekanos, V. et al. 2019. Effective chair training methods for neuroscience research involving rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Journal of Neuroscience Methods 317, 82-93.

Automated face recognition of rhesus macaques

Background: Rhesus macaques are widely used in biomedical research. Automated behavior monitoring can be useful in various fields (including neuroscience), as well as having applications to animal welfare but current technology lags behind that developed for other species. One difficulty...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Witham, C. L. 2018. Automated face recognition of rhesus macaques. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 300, 157-165.

The 9 to 5 Rodent − Time for Change? Scientific and animal welfare implications of circadian and light effects on laboratory mice and rats

Rodents, particularly rats and mice, are the most commonly used laboratory animals and are extensively used in neuroscience research, including as translational models for human disorders. It is common practice to carry out scientific procedures on rats and mice during...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hawkins, P., Golledge, H. D. R. 2018. The 9 to 5 Rodent − Time for Change? Scientific and animal welfare implications of circadian and light effects on laboratory mice and rats. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 300, 20-25.

An inhalation anaesthesia approach for neonatal mice allowing streamlined stereotactic injection in the brain

Background: Investigating brain function requires tools and techniques to visualise, modify and manipulate neuronal tissue. One powerful and popular method is intracerebral injection of customised viruses, allowing expression of exogenous transgenes. This technique is a standard procedure for adult mice,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ho, H., Fowle, A., Coetzee, M. et al. 2020. An inhalation anaesthesia approach for neonatal mice allowing streamlined stereotactic injection in the brain. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 342, 108824.

A new group housing approach for non-human primate metabolism studies

Understanding the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of candidate drugs in preclinical species is an integral part of the safety and efficacy evaluation in drug development. For this purpose, the housing of single animals in metabolism cages has historically...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Stow, R., Kendrick, J., Ibbotson, N. et al. 2021. A new group housing approach for non-human primate metabolism studies. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 107, 106947.

The effects of housing conditions on baseline cardiovascular parameters and the sensitivity to detect changes in contractility in telemetry-implanted dogs

Introduction: There is a growing weight of evidence to suggest that myocardial contractility is an important parameter to assess as part of IND enabling studies in addition to standard assessments as per the ICH S7A and S7B guidelines. Historically, assessments...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, External Bodily Equipment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Sadekova, N., Boudreau, G., Jalbert, B. et al. 2016. The effects of housing conditions on baseline cardiovascular parameters and the sensitivity to detect changes in contractility in telemetry-implanted dogs. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 81, 60-74.

Comparison of sublingual, facial and retro-bulbar blood sampling in mice in relation to animal welfare and blood quality

Introduction: Repeated blood sampling is a common procedure in laboratory mice, but at present it is unknown which technique has the least impact on the animals when large or repeated blood samples are required. Retro-bulbar sinus puncture is a reliable...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gjendal, K., Kiersgaard, M. K., Abelson, K. et al. 2020. Comparison of sublingual, facial and retro-bulbar blood sampling in mice in relation to animal welfare and blood quality. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 103, 106680.