Pigs as large-animal models for translational behavioral neuroscience.

Abstract

Model choice in behavioral neuroscience is often driven by convenience and established research pipelines, contributing to a persistent reliance on murine species. Although rodents are essential for discovery, their limited alignment with human brain architecture and clinical technologies can constrain translational inference. Here, we argue that the pig (Sus scrofa) is an underutilized large-animal model with substantial translational value due to its gyrencephalic brain, human-relevant physiology, and compatibility with clinical imaging and neurotechnology. We review evidence that pigs can support rigorous cognitive and behavioral testing, including spatial learning, recognition memory, and executive function, and we frame pigs as a cross-species replication and scaling platform for testing the generality of canonical brain-behavior relationships. We also outline ethical challenges, practical barriers, and infrastructure considerations relevant to laboratories adopting porcine behavioral neuroscience, including housing, handling, monitoring, regulatory oversight, surgical support, and growth-related design constraints. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).