title: Opportunities for improving animal welfare in rodent models of epilepsy and seizures.
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).
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK. Electronic address: katie.lidster@nc3rs.org.uk.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lidster
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Jefferys
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuropathology, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingmar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blümcke
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Crunelli
authors.affiliation: Comparative Biology Centre, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Flecknell
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
authors.forename: Bruno G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Frenguelli
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: UCB Pharma, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaminski
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Asla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitkänen
authors.affiliation: NC3Rs Board, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ragan
authors.affiliation: UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simonato
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trevelyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D032761:Animal Experimentation / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D012377:Rodentia; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: 3Rs; Animal model; Epilepsy; Mouse; Rat; Refinement; Seizure