InnoSer conducts its rodent behavioral testing studies within a cutting-edge animal facility designed with meticulously separated rooms. These rooms are outfitted with specialized behavioral setups tailored for both traditional and automated screenings. This strategic setup, combined with our rigorously standardized operating procedures, guarantees the utmost level of reproducibility in our research endeavors. This approach enables us to maintain consistency and reliability in our findings, fostering confidence in the outcomes of our studies.

More background into how we perform behavioural testing at InnoSer

The study of human neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders in mouse models plays an indispensable role in understanding fundamental disease mechanisms. Mouse models of human neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, but also neurodevelopmental disorders like STXBP1 epileptic encephalopathy, are used in preclinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic compounds.  

To evaluate a therapeutic compound’s efficacy against such indications, standardized, in-depth and well-controlled behavioural rodent studies are needed. While such behavioural tests are indispensable, they also represent one of the most challenging experimental set-ups. Inconsistent results reported among different laboratories suggest that many variables need to be considered, to prevent irreproducible results and decrease unnecessary labour where possible.  

InnoSer therefore works with highly standardized, reproducible and robust conventional behavioural assays. For each standardized behavioural assay, scientists at InnoSer have performed in-depth phenotypic analysis for each rodent model of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. This data serves as benchmark for many of the behavioural phenotypes that can be observed and is accessible to users of our cloud-based database AHCODATM.  

To reduce the potential interference of animal handling before and during the behavioural assay, scientists at InnoSer work with multiple conventional and proprietary self-developed automated behavioural assays. Automated home-cages collect a wealth of longitudinal behavioural phenotyping data in a highly standardized manner, without the need for human intervention. Automated home-cages have additional advantages, relating to both efficiency of the experiment, but also the influence on rodent’s behaviour.  

Determining the efficacy profile through behavioural readouts 

Determining the efficacy of a candidate drug typically requires a combination of functional behavioural readouts (i.e., motor function, cognitive function and assessment of anxiety or social behaviour) combined with biological readouts (i.e., organ collection, blood and/or CSF collection followed up with histopathology and bioanalyses).  

Behavioural testing provides crucial insights into the underlying disease mechanisms, as well as readouts that can be used for preclinical efficacy studies. This allows drug developers to determine the efficacy, safety as well as potential adverse effects of such compounds before progressing to clinical trials.