G.M. Vilke

CEW Research Models: Animal and Human Studies

Research on CEWs has involved both animals and humans. Multiple investigators have conducted extensive, detailed and complex experimental studies on animal models, as well as human volunteer subjects to measure, monitor, and determine the physiologic effects of CEWs. The findings and results of these animal and human experimental studies have varied and, as a result, the conclusions drawn by investigators as well as other experts have been inconsistent and at times in wide disagreement. Animal and human subjects each have different strengths and weaknesses as research models. These differences relate to the applicability of each model to actual scenarios and occurrences reported in the field, the different methodologies that must be employed for each, and the relative merits of each model to replicate so-called ‘‘real-world’’ conditions. This chapter will compare experimental research on CEWs conducted in animal models and human subjects. Other sections of this text will review many of these studies in greater detail. In this chapter, we will focus on the different strengths and weaknesses of research conducted in animal models and human subjects, and their implications in terms of assessing the physiologic effects and overall safety of CEWs.