--- title: Increase diversity to improve clinical translation and strengthen pain management outcomes. description: Although preclinical efficacy studies aim to mimic the clinic setting, several factors are overlooked that limit the understanding of drug efficacy. image: https://www.mdbneuro.com/hubfs/2023%20Stroke%20Data/MCAo%20Infarct.png --- ###### 3 min read # Increase diversity to improve clinical translation and strengthen pain management outcomes. By: [ MD Biosciences ](https://www.mdbneuro.com/blog/author/md-biosciences) on Dec 11, 2023 12:55:27 PM ![Featured Image](https://www.mdbneuro.com/hubfs/2023%20Stroke%20Data/MCAo%20Infarct.png) The goal of preclinical drug development is to identify potential therapeutic compounds and gain an understanding of disease pathways or target mechanisms. Although [preclinical efficacy studies](https://www.mdbneuro.com/preclinical-efficacy) aim to mimic the clinic setting, several factors are overlooked that limit the understanding of drug efficacy. For example, preclinical efficacy studies, especially in [pain](https://www.mdbneuro.com/pain), are predominantly performed in male species. However, there has been recognition of the importance of including both sexes in studies to better understand pain perception and response to treatments. When designing a preclinical study, it is crucial to consider differences not only in sex, but also in age, species, comorbidities, and genetic background. Including these factors early on increases clinical translatability and leads to more effective pain management.   In recent years, MD Biosciences has invested resources in studying the effects of diversity in preclinical studies. Our neuroscience team is building a data bank that addresses factors, like sex and age, in several [pain](https://www.mdbneuro.com/pain) and [neurodegenerative](https://www.mdbneuro.com/neuroscience-research-services) models. In this post, we share recent data highlighting these differences.   Example 1: In the [MCAo model for stroke](https://www.mdbneuro.com/ischemia/ischemic-stroke), young male animals are standardly used, which does not reflect the clinical setting. When we evaluated both sexes in young and aged animals, we observed differences in infarct size and the grip strength test. ![MCAo Infarct](https://www.mdbneuro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20Stroke%20Data/MCAo%20Infarct.png?width=600&height=435&name=MCAo%20Infarct.png) Figure 1. Aged rats express smaller infarct size compared to young males. ! *data in process and will be available soon.* ![Diversity_MCAo_Grip Test](https://www.mdbneuro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20Stroke%20Data/Diversity_MCAo_Grip%20Test.png?width=600&height=361&name=Diversity_MCAo_Grip%20Test.png) Figure 2. Grip strength test in young and aged male and female rats. On day 1, there is an expected decrease in the grip strength test. On day 3, grip strength in females decreases compared to young males. Similarly, grip strength in aged males decreases compared to young males. On day 7, all groups except for young females demonstrate ~75% recovery.   Example 2: In the [STZ-induced model of neuropathic pain](https://www.mdbneuro.com/pain/stz-diabetic-neuropathy), we compared pain response in male and female rats. ![STZ_Von Frey](https://www.mdbneuro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20STZ%20Model/STZ_Von%20Frey.png?width=600&height=266&name=STZ_Von%20Frey.png) Figure 3: In the von Frey test, female and male rats show increase in sensitivity to tactile stimulation in STZ induced peripheral neuropathy.   ![STZ_Hot plate](https://www.mdbneuro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20STZ%20Model/STZ_Hot%20plate.png?width=600&height=280&name=STZ_Hot%20plate.png) Figure 4: Only female rats show sensitivity to the hot plate test.   ![STZ_Cold plate](https://www.mdbneuro.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20STZ%20Model/STZ_Cold%20plate.png?width=600&height=310&name=STZ_Cold%20plate.png) Figure 5: Only female rats show sensitivity to the cold plate test.   Designing preclinical studies with diversity in mind can provide stronger predictions of how drugs will perform in diverse human populations. As a research partner, we aim to address these variables early on to improve data quality and increase translation to the clinic. To learn more about our work, [watch this webinar](https://www.mdbneuro.com/webinar-diversity-in-preclinical-efficacy-studies) to understand: - diversity considerations from tissue culture studies to large animal models. - see examples of age-sensitivity, sex differences and comorbidities in preclinical studies. - get a review of data that shows the discrepancy between preclinical efficacy outcomes and the clinical situation.         - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) < #### Related Posts ### [Promoting Diversity for Translational Success](https://www.mdbneuro.com/blog/promoting-diversity-for-translational-success) [In ](https://www.mdbneuro.com/blog/promoting-diversity-for-translational-success)[preclinical efficacy studies](https://www.mdbneuro.com/preclinical-efficacy), several factors are often overlooked, and it is important to... ### [Preclinical Efficacy Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Chemotherapeutics agents are commonly used to treat cancer, but come with side effects such as...](https://www.mdbneuro.com/blog/preclinical-efficacy-models-of-chemotherapy-induced-peripheral-neuropathy) ### [Why are potential pain therapies getting lost in translation? 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