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Researchers using brain scanners to develop methods of replacing experiments on laboratory animals have won an ethical science award from the Dr Hadwen Trust, a research charity.

The Neuroimaging Research Group at Birmingham's Aston University has pioneered human volunteer research using a non-invasive and harmless brain scanner called MEG (magnetoencephalography), which is helping to replace brain experiments on primates, cats and dogs.

A large rise in primate experiments is predicted to accompany an increasing global focus on neurological disease unless new research techniques are developed.