Motivation by restriction? Starting points for controlled fluid and food intake in neurocognitive research from a 3Rs perspective

For neurocognitive research, experiments are performed, whereby animals must perform activities to obtain an insight into the activity in the functioning brain. To motivate animals to perform these activities, their fluid or food intake must be restricted to such an extent that they become hungry or thirsty.

In this opinion report, the Netherlands National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (NCad: Nationaal Comité advies dierproevenbeleid) provides starting points for controlled fluid and food intake during neurocognitive research for rodents and non-human primates (NHPs) from the perspective of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement).