Abstract
Background and aims: The development of new analgesics is challenged by a low translation rate from preclinical models to a clinical setting, partially
due to the reliance on evoked measures, which are inherently susceptible to bias. Painful conditions often make themselves known when performing
everyday tasks, altering normal behaviour. We are validating a climbing test for assessing impairment of normal function in mice, serving as a measure of
non-evoked pain-like behaviour. Our goal is to increase the translational value of preclinical experiments.
Methods: We have established a climbing test, based on Santos et al. (Frontiers in Pain Research, 2023), which involves recording a mouse voluntarily
climbing on a cylindrical vertical mesh grid for 10 minutes. A decrease in the frequency, duration, or distance of climbs, demonstrates the impact of pain on
natural behaviour. We used the plantar incision model of post-surgical pain and evaluated if the NSAID meloxicam reinstates natural climbing.
Results: This experiment is currently being completed, and data analysis is underway, with expected finalisation well before EFIC2025. Our preliminary
results suggest that the plantar incision model impairs climbing behaviour only moderately, with results pending for the mitigating effects of meloxicam.
Conclusions: The climbing test is a promising, behaviourally relevant, non-evoked test for assessing pain-related behaviour in mice, with a potential for
enhancing the translational value of preclinical pain assessment. Preliminary results suggest only mild impairment from the plantar incision model, but
future research will assess the outcome in other models.
due to the reliance on evoked measures, which are inherently susceptible to bias. Painful conditions often make themselves known when performing
everyday tasks, altering normal behaviour. We are validating a climbing test for assessing impairment of normal function in mice, serving as a measure of
non-evoked pain-like behaviour. Our goal is to increase the translational value of preclinical experiments.
Methods: We have established a climbing test, based on Santos et al. (Frontiers in Pain Research, 2023), which involves recording a mouse voluntarily
climbing on a cylindrical vertical mesh grid for 10 minutes. A decrease in the frequency, duration, or distance of climbs, demonstrates the impact of pain on
natural behaviour. We used the plantar incision model of post-surgical pain and evaluated if the NSAID meloxicam reinstates natural climbing.
Results: This experiment is currently being completed, and data analysis is underway, with expected finalisation well before EFIC2025. Our preliminary
results suggest that the plantar incision model impairs climbing behaviour only moderately, with results pending for the mitigating effects of meloxicam.
Conclusions: The climbing test is a promising, behaviourally relevant, non-evoked test for assessing pain-related behaviour in mice, with a potential for
enhancing the translational value of preclinical pain assessment. Preliminary results suggest only mild impairment from the plantar incision model, but
future research will assess the outcome in other models.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 2025 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Event | 14th Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC: PAIN IN EUROPE XIV - Cité – Centre de Congrès, Lyon, France Duration: 24 Apr 2025 → 26 Jun 2025 Conference number: 14th https://europeanpainfederation.eu/efic2025/ |
Conference
| Conference | 14th Congress of the European Pain Federation EFIC |
|---|---|
| Number | 14th |
| Location | Cité – Centre de Congrès |
| Country/Territory | France |
| City | Lyon |
| Period | 24/04/2025 → 26/06/2025 |
| Internet address |