Assessing Disability in Rodent Models of Human Disorders

The use of laboratory animals for scientific investigation has proven to be an invaluable contribution to advancing neurobiological research, particularly in the fields of translational studies using transgenic and molecular application, and biomedical practice served as a disease model system. Unlike human research, advantage for animal model research includes available for rigorous control of the experimental parameters and factors that allow precise scientific investigations. To evaluate disabilities in animal models, we must address whether a certain model or protocol can achieve reliable data collection and interpretation with replicable procedure. Accordingly, control group provides quantitative scores indicative of standard values that are comparable with those scores obtained from experimental groups. A proposed model or protocol is required to equip measurable criteria for evaluating disability and deficiency. We discuss overall validities of several models or protocols, such as locomotor activity-based tasks and innate self-grooming behavior, which have commonly been used to measure disabilities in rodent models. The basic guidance provided for precise measurement of disabilities in rodent models is beneficial for facilitating proper interpretation of data and better understanding of the results that are translatable to human research on disease conditions.