Abstract
Alzheimers disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a devastating cognitive decline. The disease is identified pathologically by amyloid plaques composed of aggregated amyloid-β peptide, neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregated, hyperphosphorylated tau protein and neuron loss. While the disease was first described in 1906, transgenic mouse models for the study of Alzheimers disease pathologies have only been available to scientists for fifteen years. Despite the generation of many different mouse models that develop amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles, it has only been in recent years that mouse models demonstrating the two pathologies together have been made. Also, neuron loss has been difficult to achieve in many models. Most recently, several transgenic mouse lines have been generated that do demonstrate all three pathological characteristics of Alzheimers disease: amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuron loss. This review will focus on the advances made in our understanding of Alzheimers disease pathology using the transgenic mouse models. It will also discuss the limitations associated with studying some of these mice and how transgenic mouse models have contributed to the development of therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimers disease.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, transgenic, amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, neurodegeneration, amyloid precursor protein
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
Title: The Usefulness and Challenges of Transgenic Mouse Models in the Study of Alzheimers Disease
Volume: 9 Issue: 4
Author(s): Donna M. Wilcock
Affiliation:
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, transgenic, amyloid, neurofibrillary tangles, neurodegeneration, amyloid precursor protein
Abstract: Alzheimers disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a devastating cognitive decline. The disease is identified pathologically by amyloid plaques composed of aggregated amyloid-β peptide, neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregated, hyperphosphorylated tau protein and neuron loss. While the disease was first described in 1906, transgenic mouse models for the study of Alzheimers disease pathologies have only been available to scientists for fifteen years. Despite the generation of many different mouse models that develop amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles, it has only been in recent years that mouse models demonstrating the two pathologies together have been made. Also, neuron loss has been difficult to achieve in many models. Most recently, several transgenic mouse lines have been generated that do demonstrate all three pathological characteristics of Alzheimers disease: amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuron loss. This review will focus on the advances made in our understanding of Alzheimers disease pathology using the transgenic mouse models. It will also discuss the limitations associated with studying some of these mice and how transgenic mouse models have contributed to the development of therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimers disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
M. Wilcock Donna, The Usefulness and Challenges of Transgenic Mouse Models in the Study of Alzheimers Disease, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2010; 9 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710791556168
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152710791556168 |
Print ISSN 1871-5273 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1996-3181 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system infectious diseases
Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) can be divided into bacterial, tuberculous, viral, fungal, parasitic infections, etc. Early etiological treatment is often the most crucial means to reduce the mortality rate of patients with central nervous system infections, reduce complications and sequelae, and improve prognosis. The initial clinical ...read more
Trends and perspectives in the rational management of CNS disorders
Central nervous system (CNS) diseases enforce a significant global health burden, driving ongoing efforts to improve our understanding and effectiveness of therapy. This issue investigates current advances in the discipline, focusing on the understanding as well as therapeutic handling of various CNS diseases. The issue covers a variety of diseases, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
The Dysregulation of microRNAs and the Role of Stress in the Pathogenesis of Mental Disorders
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Neurobiological Mechanisms of Stress Resilience and Implications for the Aged Population
Current Neuropharmacology Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis and Insulin in Alzheimers Disease and Its Possible Treatment Usefulness
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Metal Nanoparticles for the Treatment and Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Brain Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Biological Potentials of Indian Traditional Medicine, Curcumin for Treating Human Diseases
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Derivatives: A Privileged Structural Framework in Drug Discovery to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Enzyme Inhibition Neuronal Death in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): What Can We Learn from Genetics?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets East Meets West in the Search for Alzheimers Therapeutics - Novel Dimeric Inhibitors from Tacrine and Huperzine A
Current Alzheimer Research Ether Glycerophospholipids and Their Potential as Therapeutic Agents
Current Organic Chemistry In Vivo DNA Electrotransfer for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Drug Metabolism Apoptosis: A Key in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Neurovascular Research Potential of Antibiotics for the Treatment and Management of Parkinson's Disease: An Overview
Current Drug Research Reviews Increase of EEG Alpha3/Alpha2 Power Ratio Detects Inferior Parietal Lobule Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Current Alzheimer Research Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins in Human Diseases
Current Computer-Aided Drug Design Oxidation Chemistry of Catecholamines and Neuronal Degeneration: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Complex and Differential Glial Responses in Alzheimer´s Disease and Ageing
Current Alzheimer Research Redox Regulation in the Base Excision Repair Pathway: Old and New Players as Cancer Therapeutic Targets
Current Medicinal Chemistry A New Model for Academics Based Drug Discovery
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial (Thematic Issue: Current Advances in Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development Strategies for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Moving Beyond Tyrosine Hydroxylase to Define Dopaminergic Neurons for Use in Cell Replacement Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets