Innovative Use of Flatworms in Brain Research Could Reduce Animal Testing

Researchers from the University of Reading have highlighted the potential of tiny pond-dwelling flatworms, known as planaria, to revolutionize brain research and psychiatric drug development. These harmless worms have demonstrated responses to medications similar to those observed in mammals, indicating their viability as an alternative model for studying brain function. For instance, when administered haloperidol—a commonly used antipsychotic—the flatworms exhibited decreased activity levels comparable to rodents, suggesting similar neurological reactions.

Previous studies have employed planaria to investigate conditions like epilepsy and drug addiction, as they display withdrawal symptoms that mirror mammalian responses. The latest research, published in the journal Pharmaceutical Research, explores how these flatworms could facilitate the development of treatments for mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and hallucinations. Current data reveal that a significant portion of the UK population, approximately 1 in 69 adults, use long-term antipsychotic medications.

Professor Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy from the University of Reading emphasizes that the resemblance in drug responses makes planaria a promising tool for neuroscience. Utilizing these flatworms could drastically cut down the reliance on millions of mice and rats used annually in the UK for research purposes, aligning with ethical standards and animal welfare concerns.

Additionally, the study investigated sugar-based molecules called cyclodextrins, which act as drug carriers. When haloperidol was embedded in these molecules, it dissolved much more effectively, enabling new possibilities for drug formulation testing. Interestingly, these research models are now incorporated into undergraduate pharmacology courses, demonstrating their educational and scientific value.

Overall, this groundbreaking research suggests that flatworms could replace traditional rodent models in the early stages of drug testing, streamlining the development process for psychiatric medications and reducing animal suffering.