Transgenic Mouse Models for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are some of the most important health challenges modern medicine and advanced societies face. Indeed, the number of patients affected by one of these illnesses will increase in the following years at the same rate that human life expectancy allows us to live longer. Despite many years of research, NDs remain invariably fatal. A complete understanding of the exact mechanisms leading to neuronal death, which will ideally allow preclinical detection and the development of effective treatments, has not yet been achieved. However, a great deal of information about ND pathology and the search for possible therapies has been acquired using animal models and more precisely transgenic mouse models. In this review, the main contributions of these powerful research tools in NDs as well as their advantages and caveats are discussed.

Automated summary

Neurodegenerative diseases are a major health challenge that modern medicine and advanced societies are facing. Despite years of research, the exact mechanisms leading to neuronal death and effective treatments have not been fully understood. The use of animal models, particularly transgenic mouse models, has provided valuable insights into the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases and the search for potential therapies.