Mouse Models Expedite the Elucidation of AD Pathogenesis

World Alzheimer's Day is annually observed, with the aim of raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease, a severe brain disorder causing memory loss and confusion. This year’s theme ‘Never too early, never too late’, centers on the key risk factors and risk reduction, aiming to emphasize their crucial role in delaying and potentially preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Currently, there are about 52 million Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in the world. According to the report of the World Health Organization, the number of Alzheimer's patients will rise to 152 million by 2050.

The average survival time of the patients is 5.5 years, which makes Alzheimer's disease the fourth leading cause of the death of the elderly, merely after cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and cancer. Unfortunately, the global medical communities are still at a loss to deal with the disease effectively. Even the cause has not yet been determined, and there is no specific drug or treatment that can cure Alzheimer's disease. So to some extent, Alzheimer's is more deadly than cancer.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with initial symptoms that are subtle and difficult to detect. The current clinical symptoms are characterized by comprehensive dementia, such as, memory impairment, impairment of visuospatial skills, executive dysfunction, and aberration of personality and behaviors. The pathogenesis is still unknown. The disease is mostly common among people aged above 65 years.

The pathological hallmarks of AD are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which comprise abnormally aggregated β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. It is very critical to establish animal models that mimic the pathophysiological process of AD to develop preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for AD. 

Owning more than 20 years experience in genetically engineered animal modeling, Shanghai Model Organisms Center (SMOC) has been committed to providing innovative mouse models for AD studies. For more mouse models, contact us at service.us@modelorg.com. 

References

De-Paula VJ, Radanovic M, Diniz BS, Forlenza OV. Alzheimer's disease. Subcell Biochem. 2012;65:329-52. 

Knopman DS, Amieva H, Petersen RC, et al. Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):33.

Miyabishara Yokoyama, Taisuke Tomita, et al. Mouse Models of Alzheimer Disease. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 2022; 15: 912995.