Statistical analysis of data from studies on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Research in multiple sclerosis often employs animal models of the disease, especially experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rodents. The statistical analysis procedures chosen for these studies are often suboptimal, either because of violations of the assumptions of the procedure or because the analysis selected is inappropriate for the research question. In this paper, we discuss the types of research questions frequently asked in EAE studies and suggest appropriate and useful research designs and statistical methods that will optimize the information contained within the data. We also discuss other troublesome issues such as missing data, atypical disease profiles, and power analysis.