Reproducibility and replicability of rodent phenotyping in preclinical studies.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2018

JAX Source

Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018 Apr; 87:218-232.

Volume

87

First Page

218

Last Page

232

ISSN

1873-7528

PMID

29357292

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.01.003

Abstract

The scientific community is increasingly concerned with the proportion of published "discoveries" that are not replicated in subsequent studies. The field of rodent behavioral phenotyping was one of the first to raise this concern, and to relate it to other methodological issues: the complex interaction between genotype and environment; the definitions of behavioral constructs; and the use of laboratory mice and rats as model species for investigating human health and disease mechanisms. In January 2015, researchers from various disciplines gathered at Tel Aviv University to discuss these issues. The general consensus was that the issue is prevalent and of concern, and should be addressed at the statistical, methodological and policy levels, but is not so severe as to call into question the validity and the usefulness of model organisms as a whole. Well-organized community efforts, coupled with improved data and metadata sharing, have a key role in identifying specific problems and promoting effective solutions. Replicability is closely related to validity, may affect generalizability and translation of findings, and has important ethical implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018 Apr; 87:218-232.

Share

COinS