Of Marine Mammal Neuroscience and Men: Needs and Perspectives in Marine Mammal Neuroscience

Abstract

As neuroscience techniques become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, their application to marine mammal research remains underdeveloped and fragmented. Cetacean and pinniped brains exhibit remarkable evolutionary specializations; yet systematic, reproducible data across species are scarce. Ethical, logistical, and methodological constraints hinder sampling and analysis of central nervous system tissues, often limiting studies to small cohorts and reducing diagnostic accuracy in neuropathological investigations. Gaps persist in understanding neuroanatomical organization, pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration, and the effects of acoustic and environmental stressors on brain health. Noninvasive neuroimaging methods such as post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging offer promise but suffer from incompatible protocols and limited standardization. In-vitro and molecular techniques including cellular reprogramming may provide new avenues for translational research if harmonized approaches are adopted. We identify a critical need for coordinated efforts to standardize best practice protocols for the sampling, storage and systematic analyses of marine mammal nervous tissues. To this end, we propose the formation of an inclusive, multidisciplinary network and invite collaboration through our Open Science Framework project. By aligning methodologies and broadening international partnerships, we aim to transform marine mammal neuroscience into a robust contributor to comparative neurobiology and environmental health monitoring. This is a call to action to collectively grow this emerging field.