In an effort to provide information and guidance on the use of mammals in neuroscience and behavioral research, the Committee on Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research was appointed under the auspices of the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) of The National Academies. The committee was composed of 15 members, both researchers and laboratory animal veterinarians, and were drawn from academia and industry. This committee was funded by the National Institutes of Health and was asked to address the following four items: 1. Identify common research themes in contemporary neuroscience and behavioral research based on input from neuroscience and behavioral researchers most familiar with current standards of practice and veterinarian specialists in laboratory animal medicine. 2. Exercise collective, professional judgment in applying current animal care and best use practices to procedures in these areas of research. 3. Obtain information about new scientific and responsible use developments used to maintain animals during these experiments. 4. Prepare a report to serve as an informational resource to assist researchers, laboratory animal medicine veterinarians, and institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) members in the interpretation and implementation of current standards of practice and promote the training of animal care specialists in this area.