Neglected Factors in Pharmacology and Neuroscience Research

The objective of this book is to indicate those variables which in general may need a better control. Examples, gathered from the literature, are presented to illustrate the impact that those neglected variables may have on various characteristics. The book presents a series of representatives studies from a broad field of interest so that insight can be obtained about the potential effects of these parameters in experimental outcomes. In this way, an impetus should be given to the critical consideration of test design and limitations of conclusions from experimental results. In part, the book is written as a reaction to frustrations endured during pharmacological research of many years' standing, and therefore the choice of examples from the literature is largely related to this discipline. However, as pharmacological research is to a large extent based on the other life sciences, this volume may be of interest to a much broader audience. This may certainly be the case for pharmacokineticists and toxicologists for whom drugs are the main object of study. This book may also help to improve test designs for biochemists and physiologists, not only when using drugs as tools in their experiments, but also to improve generally the control of animal characteristics and test conditions.