Abstract
The most common animal models currently used for Alzheimer disease (AD) research are transgenic mice that express a mutant form of human Aβ precursor protein (APP) and/or some of the enzymes implicated in their metabolic processing. However, these transgenic mice carry their own APP and APP-processing enzymes, which may interfere in the production of different amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides encoded by the human transgenes. Additionally, the genetic backgrounds of the different transgenic mice are a possible confounding factor with regard to crucial aspects of AD that they may (or may not) reproduce. Thus, although the usefulness of transgenic mice is undisputed, we hypothesized that additional relevant information on the physiopathology of AD could be obtained from other natural non-transgenic models. We have analyzed the chick embryo and the dog, which may be better experimental models because their enzymatic machinery for processing APP is almost identical to that of humans. The chick embryo is extremely easy to access and manipulate. It could be an advantageous natural model in which to study the cell biology and developmental function of APP and a potential assay system for drugs that regulate APP processing. The dog suffers from an age-related syndrome of cognitive dysfunction that naturally reproduces key aspects of AD including Aβ cortical pathology, neuronal degeneration and learning and memory disabilities. However, dense core neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles have not been consistently demonstrated in the dog. Thus, these species may be natural models with which to study the biology of AD, and could also serve as assay systems for Aβ-targeted drugs or new therapeutic strategies against this devastating disease.
Current Alzheimer Research
Title: Natural Non-Trasgenic Animal Models for Research in Alzheimers Disease
Volume: 6 Issue: 2
Author(s): Manuel Sarasa and Pedro Pesini
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chick embryo, dog, dolphin, rabbit, rat, APP, Aβ
Abstract: The most common animal models currently used for Alzheimer disease (AD) research are transgenic mice that express a mutant form of human Aβ precursor protein (APP) and/or some of the enzymes implicated in their metabolic processing. However, these transgenic mice carry their own APP and APP-processing enzymes, which may interfere in the production of different amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides encoded by the human transgenes. Additionally, the genetic backgrounds of the different transgenic mice are a possible confounding factor with regard to crucial aspects of AD that they may (or may not) reproduce. Thus, although the usefulness of transgenic mice is undisputed, we hypothesized that additional relevant information on the physiopathology of AD could be obtained from other natural non-transgenic models. We have analyzed the chick embryo and the dog, which may be better experimental models because their enzymatic machinery for processing APP is almost identical to that of humans. The chick embryo is extremely easy to access and manipulate. It could be an advantageous natural model in which to study the cell biology and developmental function of APP and a potential assay system for drugs that regulate APP processing. The dog suffers from an age-related syndrome of cognitive dysfunction that naturally reproduces key aspects of AD including Aβ cortical pathology, neuronal degeneration and learning and memory disabilities. However, dense core neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles have not been consistently demonstrated in the dog. Thus, these species may be natural models with which to study the biology of AD, and could also serve as assay systems for Aβ-targeted drugs or new therapeutic strategies against this devastating disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Sarasa Manuel and Pesini Pedro, Natural Non-Trasgenic Animal Models for Research in Alzheimers Disease, Current Alzheimer Research 2009; 6 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720509787602834
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720509787602834 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New Advances in the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Alzheimer's Disease
Aims and Scope: Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing prevalence that demands concerted efforts to advance our understanding and strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. This thematic issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and innovative approaches from multidisciplinary perspectives to address ...read more
Current updates on the Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neuroinflammation is an invariable hallmark of chronic and acute neurodegenerative disorders and has long been considered a potential drug target for Alzheimer?s disease (AD) and dementia. Significant evidence of inflammatory processes as a feature of AD is provided by the presence of inflammatory markers in plasma, CSF and postmortem brain ...read more
Deep Learning for Advancing Alzheimer's Disease Research
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge, with an increasing number of individuals affected yearly. Deep learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence, has shown immense potential in various domains, including healthcare. This thematic issue of Current Alzheimer Research explores the application of deep learning techniques in advancing our ...read more
Diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers of dementia
Dementia affects 18 million people worldwide. Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by brain disease, usually chronic or progressive, clinically characterized by multiple impairments of higher cortical functions such as memory, thinking, orientation, and learning. In addition, in the course of dementia, cognitive deficits are observed, which often hinder ...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
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Therapeutic Trials in Human Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Recent Advances and Problems to Address
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Mechanisms of Neuronal Injury and Death in HIV-1 Associated Dementia
Current HIV Research A Review of Selected Adult Congenital Heart Diseases Encountered in Daily Practice
Current Cardiology Reviews Computational Investigation on Tyrosine to Alanine Mutations Delaying the Early Stage of α-Synuclein Aggregation
Current Proteomics The Role of Diffusion- and Perfusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Drug Development for Ischemic Stroke: From Laboratory to Clinics
Current Vascular Pharmacology Mitochondrial Alterations and Neuropsychiatric Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry Compensating, Controlling, Resigning and Accepting-Older Persons Perception of Physical Decline
Current Aging Science The Potential Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Cognitive Protection: A Literature Review
Current Pharmaceutical Design Tolfenamic Acid: A Modifier of the Tau Protein and its Role in Cognition and Tauopathy
Current Alzheimer Research Astroglial Connexins in Neurological and Neuropsychological Disorders and Radiation Exposure
Current Medicinal Chemistry Big Science for Small Cells: Systems Approaches for Platelets
Current Drug Targets Influence of Impaired Liver Methionine Metabolism on the Development of Vascular Disease and Inflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents Subject Index To Volume 2
Current Hypertension Reviews An Apple Plus a Brazil Nut a Day Keeps the Doctors Away: Antioxidant Capacity of Foods and their Health Benefits
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial [Hot Topic: G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) and Drug Discovery (Guest Editor: Luca Gentilucci)]
Current Drug Targets Stress and Angiotensin II: Novel Therapeutic Opportunities
Current Drug Targets - CNS & Neurological Disorders Structural Diversity of Neuritogenic Substances and their Application Perspective
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Solvent-Free Synthesis of 4,5-Dihydropyrano[c]chromene Derivatives Over TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles as an Economical and Efficient Catalyst
Current Catalysis Editorial (Thematic issue: Soluble Beta Amyloid in a Continuum from Physiology to Pathology: Searching the Determinants of its Effects and Designing New Pharmacological Treatments)
Current Pharmaceutical Design APP/PS1 Gene-Environment Noise Interaction Aggravates AD-like Neuropathology in Hippocampus <i>Via</i> Activation of the VDAC1 Positive Feedback Loop
Current Alzheimer Research