Spinal cord injury

Authors:

Dr Elliot Lilley

Dr Melissa R. Andrews

Dr Elizabeth J. Bradbury

Heather Elliott

Dr Penny Hawkins

Dr Ronaldo M. Ichiyama

Dr Jo Keeley

Dr Adina T. Michael-Titus

Dr Lawrence D. F. Moon

Dr Stefano Pluchino

John, Riddell

Kathryn O. Ryder

Ping K. Yip

Publication:

Experimental Neurology 328, 113273

Publish Date:

03 March 2020

Background

Pre-clinical research into spinal cord injury is currently dominated by the use of animal models. In an attempt to recapitulate many of the clinical features of spinal cord injury, these models can involve causing significant injury, with consequent functional losses to the animal, and have the potential to induce high levels of suffering. This leads to strong ethical imperatives to ensure robust implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).

Summary

The report aims to help implement the 3Rs, focusing on refinement, in spinal cord injury research. It identifies and discusses animal welfare issues and suggests practical measures to reduce animal use and suffering, decrease experimental variability, and improve translatability. The report includes recommendations for refinements around housing, husbandry and care, surgery, analgesia, bladder function and humane endpoints.

Key Actions

Carefully design anaesthetic protocols tailored to the species and strain being used.
Provide appropriate housing and care that meet the needs of the animals, including post-operative care.
Ensure adequate analgesia is administered.
Develop adequate protocols for bladder expression if injury impairs bladder function.
Define early humane endpoints.

Read the full spinal cord injury report

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Further questions

Firstly, the spinal cord injury (SCI) itself, with severity depending on the type and intensity of the injury and its level on the spine (e.g. cervical injuries carry a higher welfare burden). During recovery, there may be issues with thermoregulation (risk of hypothermia) and accessing food and water due to impaired locomotion or paralysis. There may also be autotomy (denervation-induced self-biting), causing significant self-inflicted pain and injury. SCI can lead to bladder and bowel dysfunction (e.g. manual bladder expression may be needed, leading to urine scalding or urinary tract infections; constipation). There may also be chronic pain, infections, and cardiac and respiratory problems.
Provide soft, absorbent litter and plenty of nesting material to prevent pressure sores and urine scalding, and to help with thermoregulation. Ensure food and water are easily accessible, especially for animals with limited mobility. You can place food directly on the cage floor and use sipper tubes that are lower and easier to reach. Soaked food or hydrogel can also be provided to aid hydration and nutrition.

Authors

Dr Elliot Lilley - Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Dr Melissa R. Andrews - University of Southampton

Dr Elizabeth J. Bradbury - King's College London

Heather Elliott - Animals in Scientific Research Unit

Dr Penny Hawkins - Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Dr Ronaldo M. Ichiyama - University of Leeds

Dr Jo Keeley - University of Cambridge

Dr Adina T. Michael-Titus - Queen Mary University of London

Dr Lawrence D.F. Moon - King's College London

Dr Stefano Pluchino - University of Cambridge

John Riddell - University of Glasgow

Kathryn O. Ryder - Animals in Scientific Research Unit

Ping K. Yip - Queen Mary University of London