title: The preclinical data forum network: A new ECNP initiative to improve data quality and robustness for (preclinical) neuroscience.
abstract: Current limitations impeding on data reproducibility are often poor statistical design, underpowered studies, lack of robust data, lack of methodological detail, biased reporting and lack of open data sharing, coupled with wrong research incentives. To improve data reproducibility, robustness and quality for brain disease research, a Preclinical Data Forum Network was formed under the umbrella of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP). The goal of this network, members of which met for the first time in October 2014, is to establish a forum to collaborate in precompetitive space, to exchange and develop best practices, and to bring together the members from academia, pharmaceutical industry, publishers, journal editors, funding organizations, public/private partnerships and non-profit advocacy organizations. To address the most pertinent issues identified by the Network, it was decided to establish a data sharing platform that allows open exchange of information in the area of preclinical neuroscience and to develop an educational scientific program. It is also planned to reach out to other organizations to align initiatives to enhance efficiency, and to initiate activities to improve the clinical relevance of preclinical data. Those Network activities should contribute to scientific rigor and lead to robust and relevant translational data. Here we provide a synopsis of the proceedings from the inaugural meeting.
authors.affiliation: Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steckler
authors.affiliation: Cell Press, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brose
authors.affiliation: Orion Bionetworks Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martien J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kas
authors.affiliation: National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koustova
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Research, AbbVie, Ludwigshafen, Germany; Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bespalov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000379:methods; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011600:Psychopharmacology / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: Neuroscience; Pre-clinical; Quality assurance; Relevance; Reproducibility; Robustness