WG3: Neurophysiology, Anaesthesia and Humane end-points

WG3 deals with the requirements of experimental procedures considered to potentially induce distress and painful experience to animals to fit with principles stated in Directive 2010/63/EU. This WG will incorporate several members of the MC in close cooperation and interaction with experts from other disciplines and working on a variety of different taxa.

This Working Group integrates the following tasks:

Task 1 – Evaluation of the Existent Protocols in Neurophysiology and Behavioural Pharmacology to verify Applicability and Standardize Methodology

Task 2 – Promotion of  the Research on the Effects of common Anesthetic Agents and Explore Alternatives

Task 3 – Evaluation of Human-End-Points, Euthanasia Practices and Criteria for Death Confirmation

Task 4 – Exploration of Non-Invasive Methods for Assessing Physiological status of the animals.

The main objectives of this WG are:

1. Review and evaluate protocols used up to now in neurophysiology and anaesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia in cephalopods, the efficiency of those in different species, and possible similarities with vertebrates in effect. Verify their applicability, and refine them to minimise the ‘stress’ caused to animals. The focus will be on the most used cephalopods for research purposes and those which are cultivated in Europe (common octopus, European cuttlefish, squid), however, knowledge from other species will also be used.

2. Promote research on the effects of anaesthetics currently used, their mode of action and the physiological and behavioural consequences of these agents and how they are tolerated by different cephalopods and developmental stages. Explore alternatives.

3. Evaluate humane killing methods (e.g. overdosing on anaesthetics or freezing), humane-end-points, and criteria for death confirmation.

4. Explore non-invasive techniques to be applied in neurophysiology and anaesthesia.