Animal Models of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: Potential Tools for Alzheimers Disease Research

Kristin   M.   Abraham

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that components of the metabolic syndrome either in isolation or in aggregate may impact the onset or severity of neurodegenerative processes, including those physiologic changes that lead to Alzheimers Disease (AD). Several animal models that were originally designed to interrogate the metabolic syndrome are readily available. These models can now be used to support studies that may provide new mechanistic links between the metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration. In addition, animal strains currently being generated and phenotyped through the efforts of an array of NIDDK-supported projects are likely to provide novel and better tools to advance Alzheimers disease research in the near future.

Keywords: Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Alzheimer's Disease, Animal Models

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