While neural recording chambers for non-human primates can be purchased commercially, these generic chambers do not contour to the animal’s skull. In order to seal gaps, a cap of dental acrylic (methyl methacrylate) is often applied around the chamber. There are multiple disadvantages associated with this method. Applying acrylic delays and further complicates surgical procedure, and overheating during the curing process can cause damage to the bone. Post-surgery, acrylic margins can give rise to bacterial growth and infection. Here we describe a method to develop custom implants which conform to the individual’s skull, thereby eliminating the need for acrylic. This method shortens surgery time and significantly improves the hygiene of chamber margins.

We write this commentary as 2 animal lovers who run a nonhuman primate (NHP) laboratory. Steve Helms Tillery is a principal investigator (PI), and Rachele McAndrew is the Laboratory Coordinator for all of the primate labs at Arizona State University. Rachele was always an animal lover and grew up with many different pets ranging from mice to dogs. Even as a child, she dreamed of working with animals in some form. She entered college in pre-veterinary studies. Though plans changed, she did not give up on a career with animals. Instead, she ended up with a different focus, working with research animals. Steve grew up in a different environment. He did not have animals in his home, but he always loved being around animals of any kind. He was fascinated by their behaviors and their perception of the world, and enjoyed the casual bond that he was able to develop with domestic animals from rodents and dogs to horses and cows.And yet we both grew up to be active participants in animal research. To the outsider it may appear as if we turned our backs on early leanings toward animals: Rachele in particular gave up on her life goal of helping animals as a veterinarian. Indeed, we are both often asked how we can do what we do if we love animals. Steve feels no need to apologize for what he does: his work is part of an enterprise which contributes dramatic changes to health care and human health, and he understands that healthy primates provide the best data. Rachele amplifies that by pointing out that her love of animals is a crucial part of her job: it is important in this field to care for and provide routine veterinary care for the research animals. At times, laboratory animals receive even more care and attention than the average pet.However, it is clear to us that the general public does not understand the whole story regarding animal research. They may hear or read about the newest scientific breakthroughs with the help of research with animals, but in many cases the public perception of animal research is colored by the claims of animal activists who frequently foment an environment of controversy regarding animal research. The result is often negative. Public attacks on scientists can result in bad press for the researcher. This can lead to public antipathy toward animal scientists, who are often represented in popular media as unlikeable and untrustworthy. 1 It is of little surprise that the average researcher does not feel comfortable discussing the day to day routine of their laboratory. Therefore we think it is important that the public gain another perspective regarding animal research, one directly from people like ourselves who carry out research. This editorial is one component of a larger effort to reach out to the scientific and broader communities about research with NHPs. Our goals include making positive changes in the way nonhuman primates are handled in research and raising a discussion regarding end-of-study decisions for these intelligent and social animals.We agree with major advocacy groups that ...