Animal Care Program

National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke

Investigators

Abstract

The NINDS AHCS is responsible for all aspects of the care and use of laboratory animals in the intramural, AAALAC-accredited animal program of the NINDS, the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), as well as animals from seven other institutes housed in the Porter SAF. In FY 2023, the AHCS supported an average census of 15,736 rodent cages in NINDS- managed facilities. In addition, AHCS staff provided clinical veterinary care as well as physical health optimization, behavioral management, and genetic enhancement for an average census of 157 nonhuman primates (common marmosets) housed in the NEI-managed vivarium in Building 49. Marmoset imaging was performed in the 7T scanner in 49/B2-102. The AHCS provides a comprehensive animal care program including clinical veterinary care and animal health expertise, training of vivarium staff and investigative personnel, operations support, and administration and review of proposed animal studies through the NINDS/NIDCD/NCCIH Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC). In FY 23, the ACUC office processed 86 animal study proposals and 166 protocol amendments, including 77 amendments adding new scientific personnel. In toto, the AHCS supported 103 laboratories using animals in biomedical research to seek fundamental knowledge about the nervous system and inform the development of therapies for neurologic disease.