Towards a Conceptual Framework to Better Understand the Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms.
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| Title: | Towards a Conceptual Framework to Better Understand the Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms. |
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| Authors: | Kunze, Markus (AUTHOR), Malfatti, Federica (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | European Journal of Neuroscience. Apr2025, Vol. 61 Issue 7, p1-47. 47p. |
| Subjects: | Neurosciences, Philosophy of science, Biological models, Statistical reliability, Research methodology, Knowledge transfer |
| Abstract: | Model organisms (MO) are widely used in neuroscience to study brain processes, behavior, and the biological foundation of human diseases. However, the use of MO has also been criticized for low reliability and insufficient success rate in the development of therapeutic approaches, because the success of MO use also led to overoptimistic and simplistic applications, which sometimes resulted in wrong conclusions. Here, we develop a conceptual framework of MO to support scientists in their practical work and to foster discussions about their power and limitations. For this purpose, we take advantage of concepts developed in the philosophy of science and adjust them for practical application by neuroscientists. We suggest that MO can be best understood as tools that are used to gain information about a group of species or a phenomenon in a species of interest. These learning processes are made possible by some properties of MO, which facilitate the process of acquisition of understanding or provide practical advantages, and the possibility to transfer information between species. However, residual uncertainty in the reliability of information transfer remains, and incorrect generalizations can be side‐effects of epistemic benefits, which we consider as representational and epistemic risks. This suggests that to use MO most effectively, scientists should analyze the similarity relation between the involved species, weigh advantages and risks of certain epistemic benefits, and invest in carefully designed validation experiments. Altogether, our analysis illustrates how scientists can benefit from philosophical concepts for their research practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of European Journal of Neuroscience is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Header | DbId: pbh DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection An: 184466117 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Towards a Conceptual Framework to Better Understand the Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kunze%2C+Markus%22">Kunze, Markus</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Malfatti%2C+Federica%22">Malfatti, Federica</searchLink> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22European+Journal+of+Neuroscience%22">European Journal of Neuroscience</searchLink>. Apr2025, Vol. 61 Issue 7, p1-47. 47p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Neurosciences%22">Neurosciences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Philosophy+of+science%22">Philosophy of science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biological+models%22">Biological models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+reliability%22">Statistical reliability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+methodology%22">Research methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Knowledge+transfer%22">Knowledge transfer</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Model organisms (MO) are widely used in neuroscience to study brain processes, behavior, and the biological foundation of human diseases. However, the use of MO has also been criticized for low reliability and insufficient success rate in the development of therapeutic approaches, because the success of MO use also led to overoptimistic and simplistic applications, which sometimes resulted in wrong conclusions. Here, we develop a conceptual framework of MO to support scientists in their practical work and to foster discussions about their power and limitations. For this purpose, we take advantage of concepts developed in the philosophy of science and adjust them for practical application by neuroscientists. We suggest that MO can be best understood as tools that are used to gain information about a group of species or a phenomenon in a species of interest. These learning processes are made possible by some properties of MO, which facilitate the process of acquisition of understanding or provide practical advantages, and the possibility to transfer information between species. However, residual uncertainty in the reliability of information transfer remains, and incorrect generalizations can be side‐effects of epistemic benefits, which we consider as representational and epistemic risks. This suggests that to use MO most effectively, scientists should analyze the similarity relation between the involved species, weigh advantages and risks of certain epistemic benefits, and invest in carefully designed validation experiments. Altogether, our analysis illustrates how scientists can benefit from philosophical concepts for their research practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of European Journal of Neuroscience is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=184466117 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1111/ejn.70071 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 47 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Neurosciences Type: general – SubjectFull: Philosophy of science Type: general – SubjectFull: Biological models Type: general – SubjectFull: Statistical reliability Type: general – SubjectFull: Research methodology Type: general – SubjectFull: Knowledge transfer Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Towards a Conceptual Framework to Better Understand the Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Kunze, Markus – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Malfatti, Federica IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 04 Text: Apr2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 0953816X Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 61 – Type: issue Value: 7 Titles: – TitleFull: European Journal of Neuroscience Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
