CMS

"CMS" (Composite Measure Scheme) is a tool to evaluate the distress and severity of conditions in animal models, particularly focusing on models of neurological disorders. This tool addresses the crucial need for evidence-based approaches to objectively, precisely, and robustly grade an animal's burden, supporting harm-benefit analysis during ethical evaluations, animal welfare-based model prioritization, and the validation of refinement measures.

Key Features and Functionalities:

- Parameter Selection via Principal Component Analysis: CMS employs principal component analysis to select the most informative parameters for assessing animal distress. This methodological choice ensures that the parameters included in the composite measure are relevant and representative of the animals' affective state.

- Comprehensive Behavioral and Biochemical Parameters: The development of CMS involved analyzing several behavioral and biochemical parameters across three different epilepsy models. Top-ranking parameters, including burrowing, open-field locomotion, social interaction, and saccharin preference, were critical for the composite measure.

- Severity Level Allocation through Cluster Analysis: CMS data are subjected to cluster analysis, allowing for the precise allocation of severity levels to individual animals. This feature facilitates the nuanced assessment of distress and the impact of various experimental interventions.

- Direct Comparison Between Models: The application of CMS enables direct comparisons of severity between different animal models, providing valuable insights for researchers. Initial findings indicated comparable severity between electrical and chemical post-status epilepticus models, with a lower severity observed in the kindling model.