In an experimental study involving IBU, what is the appropriate control group?

• A. Normal mice administered IBU
• B. Normal mice treated with a placebo
• C. Mice with previous depression history
• D. Mice administered a different analgesic

Answer: (B)

In an experimental study assessing the effects of ibuprofen (IBU), the appropriate control group would consist of normal mice treated with a placebo. This control group is essential as it allows researchers to determine the specific effects of IBU by providing a baseline for comparison.

A placebo is crucial in clinical and experimental trials because it ensures that any observed effects in the experimental group (the mice receiving IBU) can be attributed to the drug itself rather than psychological factors or the results of simply receiving treatment. The placebo group will experience the same conditions and treatment environment as the IBU group, but without the active ingredient, ensuring that the only difference between the groups is the administration of the drug.

In contrast, administering IBU to normal mice does not serve as a control, as it is the very treatment being tested. Mice with a previous depression history would not be suitable because their response to IBU could differ from those without such a history, introducing confounding variables. Similarly, using mice administered a different analgesic would not provide a proper control, as it would introduce another variable rather than comparing against a non-active treatment. Therefore, the ideal control involves using a placebo to isolate the effects of the drug effectively.