You're here because of the cats but did you know that since 1993, Dr. Neff, has been approved to used 6,150 mice in a Stress and Neurotransmitter Function protocol. The animals used in these experiments are subjected to "mild stressors" and also given MPTP and amphetamines. The protocol carries an "E" category pain code, pain and distress is not relieved, due to the method used to bring about their death, decapitation with no pain relievers.

From their own words:

1993 - 1,200 mice are approved for use by ILACUC. Either MPTP or methamphetamine will be given to the mice. During this phase mice will be exposed to moderate restraint by placing them in clear plastic tubes having holes to ensure proper ventilation. Exposing animals to restraint stress up to 16 hrs down regulates immune responses in mice. Mice are used because the drugs are neurotoxic in the species, they are easily housed and maintained, they respond to treatment with neurotrophic factors and they tolerate restraint stress well. At various intervals in the study the mice will be decapitated. Anesthesia cannot be used for euthanasia because it could change brain neurochemistry.

The lay abstract says, These studies will test the hypothesis that stress might make us more vulnerable in various environmental toxins or drugs that can destroy neurons and that stress might also make recovery of a neuronal lesion more difficult.

POET member, Linda, RN, who sits in the ILACUC meetings had noted, Every 'woman's magazine' at the checkout line has an article on stress affecting the immune system, our ability to heal, and our general lives. What's new?
Well, ILACUC approved an amendment in January, 1994, to add another 1,200 animals to the study. These mice will not be under placed under stress but will be decapitated.

1999 and after 6 years the protocol requires a new number, 99A0007, and approval to use an additional 3,750 mice. Restraint stress continues and swim stress is added. Mice are placed in a clear plastic container filled with 15cm of water at room temperature, to swim for 15-30 minutes.

For chronic studies mice will be treated with the drug of interest, a long list, twice daily for 2-4 weeks and exposed to the stressor, restraint or swim. Treatment will continue during the exposure to the stressors. Mice will be killed at various times after the completion of the stress, and neurochemical parameters measured. For acute studies, a single injection of the drug of interest will be administered 1 hr prior to each stress sesssion and animals killed and neurochemical parameters studied.

The mice pictured at not the animals used by Dr. Neff, but the photo was taken at OSU and involved another project using swim stress.