Refining pain management for laboratory rodents: practical applicability, evaluation of robustness, and development of recommendations

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Marion Bankstahl
• Subject Area: Anaesthesiology ; Sensory and Behavioural Biology ; Veterinary Medical Science
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 321137804

Animal studies regularly involve surgical procedures that require effective peri- and postoperative pain management. However, this is complicated by the fact that pharmacokinetic (PK) and tolerability profiles for laboratory rodents are largely lacking, even for standard analgesics. Therefore, during the previous funding period, we collected PK and tolerability data for analgesics of different drug classes both for mice and rats for subcutaneous (s.c.) administration and for animal-friendly drug intake via drinking water. These data have already been applied for refining analgesic regimens within FOR 2591 and beyond. Based on this data and with the aim of analgesia refinement, those agents with a suitable PK and tolerability profile, both in mono- and combinatorial application, were evaluated with regard to their suitability for postoperative pain management. A comprehensive arrangement of physiological and behavioural measurements, along with pain indicators, was implemented primarily within the home cage for evaluating the effectiveness and potential drawbacks of pain treatment. Molecular imaging parameters were also utilized to assess the impact of pain therapy. Based on the extensive data collected, by means of further analyses and in close collaboration with other members of FOR 2591, the present project pursues the following main objectives: 1) evaluation of all recorded parameters with regard to their reproducibility and robustness, 2) streamlining of the experimental design for the future assessment of side effects, pain intensity and effectiveness of pain therapy by identifying the parameters with the highest information value, 3) adaptation of the RELSA (Relative Severity Assessment) algorithm developed within the FOR 2591 for the purpose to grade the extent of side effects, pain, as well as efficacy of pain therapy, 4) evaluation of the added value of innovative but also laborious molecular imaging methods as well as the FOR 2591 home-cage system for the detection and grading of side effects and pain/analgesic efficacy, and 5) the development of evidence-based recommendations for tailored postoperative pain management. In addition, we will coordinate the development of an analgesia feedback platform for the continuous integration of practical observations or experiences involving the FOR 2591 partners, as well as the experimenters of our institution and beyond, to anchor the practical application of optimised analgesia protocols and ensure continuous further development.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2591: Severity assessment in animal-based research