A review of the methods and models used in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease studies, has shown how reliant it still is on research using animals.

The analysis of 13,000 abstracts on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s showed that two-thirds used animal-based methods of research. The study published in The Embo Journal, was conducted by researchers from EARA members VIB and KU Leuven, plus Imec and VITO, who concluded that calls to halt all animal research are premature, and that a more nuanced approach to monitor animal use is needed to inform policy discussions.

Patrik Verstreken, of VIB-KU Leuven, said: “Our literature review shows that an abrupt stop to animal experiments would significantly cripple the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s research fields. A move towards animal-free research is simply unrealistic.”