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      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation

      December 4, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      Brain Health

      Swiss Brain Health Plan launches in Zurich

      November 24, 2023

      EAN News

      EAN 2024 – Abstract submission and registration OPEN!

      November 22, 2023

      Executive Page

      Executive Page: Join or renew your membership now and celebrate 10 years of the EAN

      November 6, 2023

      Executive Page

      Executive Page: Advocacy for brain health gaining momentum across the neurological landscape

      October 1, 2023

      Executive Page Dear EAN members, dear friends, It is my pleasure to give you an update on behalf of the EAN Scientific Committee following a busy year since my appointment as chair. It has been a privilege to be so deeply involved in the scientific activities of the EAN and to work closely with an amazing community of people who are so dedicated to the advancement of neurology. One of the strongest threads within that community is the EAN’s group of Scientific Panels, which are often referred to as the organisation’s ‘scientific backbone’. The panels have a hand in everything the EAN does from a scientific point of view, including coordinating clinical research, disseminating good practice, assisting in planning the EAN annual congress, supporting the EAN’s educational efforts, and producing guidelines that assist neurologists in daily practice. All of this work requires a considerable amount of oversight, and this is why each panel is run by its own Management Group, elected by the panel members. Being a part of one of these Management Groups (PDF) is an opportunity to play a direct part in determining the direction of scientific progress within Europe, and I am excited to say that the call for applications to stand for election will be announced in September. All panel members and EAN individual members are eligible to apply to be candidates, with the vote being held among the existing panel members in autumn. I would like to urge every neurologist with a passion for the scientific future of their special area of interest to consider standing for election to the relevant Management Group and to look out for the call for applications later this month. I can tell you from personal experience that fulfilling a role such as this within the structure of the EAN is a fascinating and extremely rewarding experience. The chance to take on such a unique leadership position should not be missed! The most satisfying aspect of being involved in the EAN’s organisational structure is surely seeing all the hard work and planning come to fruition when a small idea evolves into a newly launched project. One such example is the 1st EAN Science School, taking place in Salzburg next March. The idea of the Science School is to offer early career neurologists with an interest in translational research a new avenue for learning about basic pathomechanisms of neurological disorders. Application for this very first edition, on ‘Pathophysiology of disorders of the nervous system’, closed last week and we have been delighted with the level of interest. It was a pleasure to be part of the task force in charge of planning this new project and I look forward to seeing it officially transferred to the hands of the Scientific Committee after a successful event and evaluation in spring. Of our ongoing activities, one of the most significant is the EAN Neuro-covid Registry, which aims to collate epidemiological data on neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 infection reported by neurologists in outpatient services, emergency rooms, and hospital departments. We currently have 1,542 patients entered in the database, from 35 centres across 23 countries. So far, 29 patients have been followed for 12 months and 387 have completed the 6-months follow up. This is a decent start, but I would like to strongly encourage EAN members and their institutions to get involved and contribute cases to what will become an invaluable resource for neurologists and clinicians to improve care for Covid-19 patients. Finally, I would like share a word on a forthcoming collaboration between EAN and the Human Brain Project in December, that I think will interest a lot of EAN members. The EAN-EBRAINS joint workshop on ‘The future of medical data sharing in clinical neurosciences’ will be a three-day virtual event that aims to discuss issues and challenges associated with data sharing in Europe, from ethics to data safety and privacy, including those specific to data federation, such as the development and validation of federated algorithms. The whole workshop is completely free of charge and registration is open until 25 November, so please check out the details and sign up! I wish you all a healthy and pleasant autumn and I look forward to updating you again. Best wishes Thomas Berger Chair of the EAN Scientific Committee

      Executive Page: Management Group elections are coming – run for office and help shape our future!

      September 1, 2023

      Executive Page

      Executive Page: Thank you for making the EAN Congress 2023 a great success!

      July 24, 2023

      EAN News One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      EAN News

      Swiss Brain Health Plan launches in Zurich

      November 24, 2023

      EAN News

      EAN 2024 – Abstract submission and registration OPEN!

      November 22, 2023

      EAN News

      Call for Applications: e-Learning Platform Associate Editors

      November 7, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      EAN 2024 – Abstract submission and registration OPEN!

      November 22, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      Burden of Sleep/Wake Disorders Project at EAN Congress 2023

      October 19, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      African Academy of Neurology features in Special Studio Session at EAN 2023

      July 25, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      Find photos, facts, figures and reports in our EAN Congress Review

      July 24, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Prof. Mary Reilly, Moritz Romberg lecturer at EAN 2023

      July 4, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Mark Hallett, C. Brown-Séquard lecturer at EAN 2023

      July 3, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Josep Dalmau, Camillo Golgi Lecturer at EAN 2023

      July 2, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Dementia & Cognitive Disorders Panel Co-Chairs

      September 8, 2022

  • Research
    • All Paper of the Month Research Highlights
      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation

      December 4, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Effects of oral anticoagulation in people with atrial fibrillation after spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (COCROACH)

      November 6, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – November 2023

      November 6, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation

      December 4, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Effects of oral anticoagulation in people with atrial fibrillation after spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (COCROACH)

      November 6, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Transdermal Nicotine Treatment and Progression of Early Parkinson’s Disease

      October 1, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Soluble Nogo-Receptor-Fc decoy (AXER-204) in patients with chronic cervical spinal cord injury in the USA

      September 1, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – November 2023

      November 6, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – October 2023

      October 1, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – September 2023

      September 1, 2023

  • Education
    • All eLearning Student Corner Resident and Research Fellows Fellowship reports
      eLearning

      End 2023 with highlighted content on the eanCampus!

      December 2, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Spring School 2024 – Apply NOW until 31 January 2024

      December 1, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Autumn School 2023: Report

      November 30, 2023

      eLearning

      Call for Applications: e-Learning Platform Associate Editors

      November 7, 2023

      eLearning

      End 2023 with highlighted content on the eanCampus!

      December 2, 2023

      eLearning

      Call for Applications: e-Learning Platform Associate Editors

      November 7, 2023

      eLearning

      Kick off the new season with highlights on the eanCampus

      October 13, 2023

      eLearning

      World Brain Day with the European Academy of Neurology

      July 21, 2023

      Student Corner

      Student Teaser Fellowship reports 2022 – Pisa, London, & Lausanne

      September 13, 2023

      Student Corner Illustration of a vertical pencil point on a blue background, with a yellow light bulb above it

      Student Corner: My EAN Congress experience

      September 5, 2023

      Student Corner

      Student Teaser Fellowship reports 2022 – Rotterdam, London, & Paris

      August 22, 2023

      Student Corner

      Student Teaser Fellowship winners 2023

      June 28, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Spring School 2024 – Apply NOW until 31 January 2024

      December 1, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Autumn School 2023: Report

      November 30, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group

      September 16, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne

      September 15, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group

      September 16, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne

      September 15, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Department of Neuromuscular Diseases Institute, University College London

      September 14, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Student Teaser Fellowship reports 2022 – Pisa, London, & Lausanne

      September 13, 2023

  • Other News
    • All EAN Staff EBC News in general Surveys
      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Ulla & Piyapat

      December 1, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Maria & Immanuel

      November 7, 2023

      Advocacy

      Brain community launches Call to Action during Brain Health & Research Day at UNGA78

      October 19, 2023

      EAN News

      Brain Innovation Days 2023: Meet the speakers!

      October 2, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Ulla & Piyapat

      December 1, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Maria & Immanuel

      November 7, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Kathrin & Sasha

      August 28, 2023

      EAN Staff Anja Sander receiving flowers at the end of EAN Congress 2023

      Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Anja Sander, EAN’s Executive Director!

      August 3, 2023

      EBC

      Brain community launches Call to Action during Brain Health & Research Day at UNGA78

      October 19, 2023

      EBC

      Brain Innovation Days 2023: Meet the speakers!

      October 2, 2023

      EBC

      Brain Innovation Days: Discover the early programme and register today!

      July 21, 2023

      EBC

      Join the community’s calls for a European Brain Research and Innovation Plan

      July 21, 2023

      News in general

      WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP) published in all six UN languages

      August 3, 2023

      News in general

      WHO recognises the public health need for effective and affordable treatments for multiple sclerosis

      August 3, 2023

      News in general

      Brain Innovation Days: Discover the early programme and register today!

      July 21, 2023

      News in general

      Join the community’s calls for a European Brain Research and Innovation Plan

      July 21, 2023

      Surveys

      Neurorehabilitation Across Europe after Ischemic and Traumatic Brain Injuries: a survey to increase knowledge on brain-injury-specific neurorehabilitation

      July 14, 2023

      Surveys

      ILAE survey on genetic testing in the epilepsies

      July 14, 2023

      Surveys

      COVID-19 and neurology: a survey of previous and continued restrictions on clinical practice, professional education and neuroeconomics

      March 3, 2023

      Surveys

      Help EAN contribute towards the development of a European Pain Research strategy

      December 5, 2022

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eanpages

  • EAN News
    • All Executive Page EAN News EAN Congress news Interviews
      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation

      December 4, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      Brain Health

      Swiss Brain Health Plan launches in Zurich

      November 24, 2023

      EAN News

      EAN 2024 – Abstract submission and registration OPEN!

      November 22, 2023

      Executive Page

      Executive Page: Join or renew your membership now and celebrate 10 years of the EAN

      November 6, 2023

      Executive Page

      Executive Page: Advocacy for brain health gaining momentum across the neurological landscape

      October 1, 2023

      Executive Page Dear EAN members, dear friends, It is my pleasure to give you an update on behalf of the EAN Scientific Committee following a busy year since my appointment as chair. It has been a privilege to be so deeply involved in the scientific activities of the EAN and to work closely with an amazing community of people who are so dedicated to the advancement of neurology. One of the strongest threads within that community is the EAN’s group of Scientific Panels, which are often referred to as the organisation’s ‘scientific backbone’. The panels have a hand in everything the EAN does from a scientific point of view, including coordinating clinical research, disseminating good practice, assisting in planning the EAN annual congress, supporting the EAN’s educational efforts, and producing guidelines that assist neurologists in daily practice. All of this work requires a considerable amount of oversight, and this is why each panel is run by its own Management Group, elected by the panel members. Being a part of one of these Management Groups (PDF) is an opportunity to play a direct part in determining the direction of scientific progress within Europe, and I am excited to say that the call for applications to stand for election will be announced in September. All panel members and EAN individual members are eligible to apply to be candidates, with the vote being held among the existing panel members in autumn. I would like to urge every neurologist with a passion for the scientific future of their special area of interest to consider standing for election to the relevant Management Group and to look out for the call for applications later this month. I can tell you from personal experience that fulfilling a role such as this within the structure of the EAN is a fascinating and extremely rewarding experience. The chance to take on such a unique leadership position should not be missed! The most satisfying aspect of being involved in the EAN’s organisational structure is surely seeing all the hard work and planning come to fruition when a small idea evolves into a newly launched project. One such example is the 1st EAN Science School, taking place in Salzburg next March. The idea of the Science School is to offer early career neurologists with an interest in translational research a new avenue for learning about basic pathomechanisms of neurological disorders. Application for this very first edition, on ‘Pathophysiology of disorders of the nervous system’, closed last week and we have been delighted with the level of interest. It was a pleasure to be part of the task force in charge of planning this new project and I look forward to seeing it officially transferred to the hands of the Scientific Committee after a successful event and evaluation in spring. Of our ongoing activities, one of the most significant is the EAN Neuro-covid Registry, which aims to collate epidemiological data on neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 infection reported by neurologists in outpatient services, emergency rooms, and hospital departments. We currently have 1,542 patients entered in the database, from 35 centres across 23 countries. So far, 29 patients have been followed for 12 months and 387 have completed the 6-months follow up. This is a decent start, but I would like to strongly encourage EAN members and their institutions to get involved and contribute cases to what will become an invaluable resource for neurologists and clinicians to improve care for Covid-19 patients. Finally, I would like share a word on a forthcoming collaboration between EAN and the Human Brain Project in December, that I think will interest a lot of EAN members. The EAN-EBRAINS joint workshop on ‘The future of medical data sharing in clinical neurosciences’ will be a three-day virtual event that aims to discuss issues and challenges associated with data sharing in Europe, from ethics to data safety and privacy, including those specific to data federation, such as the development and validation of federated algorithms. The whole workshop is completely free of charge and registration is open until 25 November, so please check out the details and sign up! I wish you all a healthy and pleasant autumn and I look forward to updating you again. Best wishes Thomas Berger Chair of the EAN Scientific Committee

      Executive Page: Management Group elections are coming – run for office and help shape our future!

      September 1, 2023

      Executive Page

      Executive Page: Thank you for making the EAN Congress 2023 a great success!

      July 24, 2023

      EAN News One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      EAN News

      Swiss Brain Health Plan launches in Zurich

      November 24, 2023

      EAN News

      EAN 2024 – Abstract submission and registration OPEN!

      November 22, 2023

      EAN News

      Call for Applications: e-Learning Platform Associate Editors

      November 7, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      EAN 2024 – Abstract submission and registration OPEN!

      November 22, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      Burden of Sleep/Wake Disorders Project at EAN Congress 2023

      October 19, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      African Academy of Neurology features in Special Studio Session at EAN 2023

      July 25, 2023

      EAN Congress news

      Find photos, facts, figures and reports in our EAN Congress Review

      July 24, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Prof. Mary Reilly, Moritz Romberg lecturer at EAN 2023

      July 4, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Mark Hallett, C. Brown-Séquard lecturer at EAN 2023

      July 3, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Josep Dalmau, Camillo Golgi Lecturer at EAN 2023

      July 2, 2023

      Interviews

      Video Interview: Dementia & Cognitive Disorders Panel Co-Chairs

      September 8, 2022

  • Research
    • All Paper of the Month Research Highlights
      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation

      December 4, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Effects of oral anticoagulation in people with atrial fibrillation after spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (COCROACH)

      November 6, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – November 2023

      November 6, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation

      December 4, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Effects of oral anticoagulation in people with atrial fibrillation after spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage (COCROACH)

      November 6, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Transdermal Nicotine Treatment and Progression of Early Parkinson’s Disease

      October 1, 2023

      Paper of the Month

      Research Paper of the Month: Soluble Nogo-Receptor-Fc decoy (AXER-204) in patients with chronic cervical spinal cord injury in the USA

      September 1, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – December 2023

      December 1, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – November 2023

      November 6, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – October 2023

      October 1, 2023

      Research Highlights One glowing light bulb that stands out from unlit or dim lamps on a blue background

      Research Highlights of the Month – September 2023

      September 1, 2023

  • Education
    • All eLearning Student Corner Resident and Research Fellows Fellowship reports
      eLearning

      End 2023 with highlighted content on the eanCampus!

      December 2, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Spring School 2024 – Apply NOW until 31 January 2024

      December 1, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Autumn School 2023: Report

      November 30, 2023

      eLearning

      Call for Applications: e-Learning Platform Associate Editors

      November 7, 2023

      eLearning

      End 2023 with highlighted content on the eanCampus!

      December 2, 2023

      eLearning

      Call for Applications: e-Learning Platform Associate Editors

      November 7, 2023

      eLearning

      Kick off the new season with highlights on the eanCampus

      October 13, 2023

      eLearning

      World Brain Day with the European Academy of Neurology

      July 21, 2023

      Student Corner

      Student Teaser Fellowship reports 2022 – Pisa, London, & Lausanne

      September 13, 2023

      Student Corner Illustration of a vertical pencil point on a blue background, with a yellow light bulb above it

      Student Corner: My EAN Congress experience

      September 5, 2023

      Student Corner

      Student Teaser Fellowship reports 2022 – Rotterdam, London, & Paris

      August 22, 2023

      Student Corner

      Student Teaser Fellowship winners 2023

      June 28, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Spring School 2024 – Apply NOW until 31 January 2024

      December 1, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      EAN Autumn School 2023: Report

      November 30, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group

      September 16, 2023

      Resident and Research Fellows

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne

      September 15, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Oxford Autoimmune Neurology Group

      September 16, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne

      September 15, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Research Fellowship Report 2022 – Department of Neuromuscular Diseases Institute, University College London

      September 14, 2023

      Fellowship reports

      Student Teaser Fellowship reports 2022 – Pisa, London, & Lausanne

      September 13, 2023

  • Other News
    • All EAN Staff EBC News in general Surveys
      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Ulla & Piyapat

      December 1, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Maria & Immanuel

      November 7, 2023

      Advocacy

      Brain community launches Call to Action during Brain Health & Research Day at UNGA78

      October 19, 2023

      EAN News

      Brain Innovation Days 2023: Meet the speakers!

      October 2, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Ulla & Piyapat

      December 1, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Maria & Immanuel

      November 7, 2023

      EAN Staff

      EAN Head Office Profiles: Kathrin & Sasha

      August 28, 2023

      EAN Staff Anja Sander receiving flowers at the end of EAN Congress 2023

      Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Anja Sander, EAN’s Executive Director!

      August 3, 2023

      EBC

      Brain community launches Call to Action during Brain Health & Research Day at UNGA78

      October 19, 2023

      EBC

      Brain Innovation Days 2023: Meet the speakers!

      October 2, 2023

      EBC

      Brain Innovation Days: Discover the early programme and register today!

      July 21, 2023

      EBC

      Join the community’s calls for a European Brain Research and Innovation Plan

      July 21, 2023

      News in general

      WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP) published in all six UN languages

      August 3, 2023

      News in general

      WHO recognises the public health need for effective and affordable treatments for multiple sclerosis

      August 3, 2023

      News in general

      Brain Innovation Days: Discover the early programme and register today!

      July 21, 2023

      News in general

      Join the community’s calls for a European Brain Research and Innovation Plan

      July 21, 2023

      Surveys

      Neurorehabilitation Across Europe after Ischemic and Traumatic Brain Injuries: a survey to increase knowledge on brain-injury-specific neurorehabilitation

      July 14, 2023

      Surveys

      ILAE survey on genetic testing in the epilepsies

      July 14, 2023

      Surveys

      COVID-19 and neurology: a survey of previous and continued restrictions on clinical practice, professional education and neuroeconomics

      March 3, 2023

      Surveys

      Help EAN contribute towards the development of a European Pain Research strategy

      December 5, 2022

Scientific CornerTop Articles

Reply to the EURL ECVAM EU public survey to identify all types of knowledge sources that might be relevant to Replace, Reduce or Refine (the ‘3Rs’) the use of animals for scientific purposes

May 4, 2016

Animal rights groups deny that animal research advances the study and treatment of human disease. A common tactic is to cite a body of literature (mostly anecdotally) purporting to document scientifically the uselessness of animal models, the suffering inflicted on animals and declaring alternatives to animal research as more effective for translating research into therapies to human disease.

It is broadly recognized across public health and welfare communities that animal research has yielded invaluable preventative and therapeutic strategies for human diseases. Some examples include AIDS, dementias including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, smallpox, polio, diabetes, tetanus, rubella, anthrax, rabies, and leprosy. Additionally, millions of animal lives have benefited from research studies performed in animals.  Domestic cats and dogs now lead longer and healthier lives than ever before due to advances in infectious disease prevention (vaccines), disease diagnosis (ultrasound and MRI), and treatment (surgery). Healthier livestock have improved the socioeconomic status and health of people worldwide. These advances would not have occurred without the benefit of biomedical research involving animals.

It is also a fact that animal models provide highly complex biological information that cannot be obtained from alternative systems that circumvent the use of animals. It is impossible at this time to simulate in vitro or in silico complex aspects of central nervous system function or metabolic pathways. The scientific community relies on alternatives to animal research whenever possible, not only to spare animals’ lives, but also for cost effectiveness and bodies that regulate the use of animals in the laboratory. Generally, scientists are highly compassionate and sensitive to animal distress and suffering. Ultimately, the future health of the human population on earth as well as the future of animal wellbeing are inexorably linked to the use of animals in research.

According to these principles the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) offer the following reply to the EURL ECVAM EU public survey to identify all types of knowledge sources that might be relevant to Replace, Reduce or Refine (the ‘3Rs’) the use of animals for scientific purposes, to understand how such knowledge is currently disseminated and to highlight what could be done to fill knowledge gaps and enhance knowledge sharing.

The AAN and the EAN ensure that the use of animals in research is taken as a serious responsibility by their membership/stakeholders, and that animals are used only in circumstances where important and serious unmet medical needs are being investigated. This is done by highlighting the best translational neuroscience at their scientific meetings and in their scientific journals, and by providing information on animal research in their publications, web sites and through specific educational programs. Furthermore, our societies promote open debates on the subject of animal research, its scientific value and its perception by scientists, medical professionals, regulatory agencies, political decision-makers, patients and families and the general public.

More specifically on the ‘3Rs’:

Replace: Cell culture systems, including three-dimensional organoid cultures, and computer simulations have been implemented to address key questions in basic biology and disease modeling. Induced pluripotent human stem (iPS) cells are a particularly valuable new tool for studying basic biological processes such as differentiation and organogenesis, for investigating basic cellular mechanisms of disease and for testing the potential efficacy of targeted therapeutics. Recently, improved methods for editing the genomes of iPS cells have further increased the power of these systems1. Advanced bioinformatics that have improved the modeling of complex biological systems and the response to specific interventions, are finding applications to the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of neurological diseases2,3.

Although these approaches complement and partially reduce the need for animal studies, their limitations preclude their substitution for all animal studies. Animal models do not reproduce all nuances of human physiology and pathology, but they remain the keystone for investigating basic neuroscience and neuropathological mechanisms and for pre-clinical trials of new therapies. Insights gained from animal models have revealed mechanistic factors for even very “human” conditions like autism, which could be reproduced in several key aspects in non-human primates4, but also in mice, providing initial proof-of-concept for potential therapeutic strategies5,6. Animal studies are pivotal through all stages of the development and validation of new diagnostic tests, biomarkers and therapies, from discovery to optimization7, for previously intractable diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, ataxias, multiple sclerosis and advanced brain cancers (witness the recent miraculous recovery of President Carter after new age immunotherapy).

Reduce: Researchers carefully select the best available model systems for their studies, while continuing to develop alternative and complementary models to more effectively address their questions. The quest for the best science will reduce the use but not eliminate the need for animals in biomedical research. Our societies strongly support these efforts, while recognizing the continuing need for animal experimentation as an essential part of neurological and other types of research.

Refine: Study design in animal experiments is rigorous, incorporating scientific principles, concern for animal welfare and economic efficiency. Experimental planning requires the existence of a robust scientific background, in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of the utilized model, a clear definition of endpoints, power calculations to define appropriate cohort size (also contributing to ‘Reduce’), use of appropriate controls, safety monitoring and accurate data analyses. Furthermore, the use of advanced new technologies for non-invasive in vivo structural, functional and metabolic imaging, as high magnetic field (up to >21 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, contrast agents that are responsive to enzyme activity, to name a few, is leading to a significant improvement in data collection while decreasing stress and preventing pain of experimental animals. Maintenance of high quality standards in animal studies ensures the protection of animal welfare, is essential to obtain scientifically sound results8 and is required by regulatory agencies 9.

 

References

  1. Hendriks, W. T., Warren, C. R. & Cowan, C. A. Genome Editing in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Approaches, Pitfalls, and Solutions. Cell Stem Cell 18, 53–65 (2016).
  2. Le Masson, G., Przedborski, S. & Abbott, L. F. A Computational Model of Motor Neuron Degeneration. Neuron 20, 975-988 (2014).
  3. O’Leary, T., Williams, A. H., Franci, A. & Marder, E. Cell types, network homeostasis, and pathological compensation from a biologically plausible ion channel expression model. Neuron 82, 809–821 (2014).
  4. Liu, Z. et al. Autism-like behaviours and germline transmission in transgenic monkeys overexpressing MeCP2. Nature 530, 98-102 (2016).
  5. Sztainberg, Y. et al. Reversal of phenotypes in MECP2 duplication mice using genetic rescue or antisense oligonucleotides. Nature 528,123-126 (2015).
  6. Mei, Y. et al. Adult restoration of Shank3 expression rescues selective autistic-like phenotypes. Nature 530, 481-484 (2016).
  7. Denayer, T., Stöhr, T. & Van Roy, M. Animal models in translational medicine: Validation and prediction. New Horizons in Translational Medicine 2, 5–11 (2014).
  8. Perrin, S. Make mouse studies work. Nature 507, 423–425 (2014).
  9. van Meer, P. J. K., Graham, M. L. & Schuurman, H.-J. The safety, efficacy and regulatory triangle in drug development: Impact for animal models and the use of animals. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 759, 3–13 (2015).

 

Prof. Massimo Pandolfo, MD, FAAN
EAN Scientific Panel on Translational Neurology

Reply to the EURL ECVAM EU public survey to identify all types of knowledge sources that might be relevant to Replace, Reduce or Refine (the ‘3Rs’) the use of animals for scientific purposes was last modified: May 3rd, 2016 by Editor
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