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Review
. 2018 Oct;21(10):1370-1379.
doi: 10.1038/s41593-018-0236-8. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Animal models of neurodegenerative diseases

Ted M Dawson  1   2 , Todd E Golde  3 , Clotilde Lagier-Tourenne  4   5
Affiliations
Review

Animal models of neurodegenerative diseases

Ted M Dawson et al. Nat Neurosci. 2018 Oct.

Abstract

Animal models of adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases have enhanced the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nevertheless, our understanding of these disorders and the development of mechanistically designed therapeutics can still benefit from more rigorous use of the models and from generation of animals that more faithfully recapitulate human disease. Here we review the current state of rodent models for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We discuss the limitations and utility of current models, issues regarding translatability, and future directions for developing animal models of these human disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: Dr. Todd Golde is a cofounder of Lacerta Inc. Dr. Ted Dawson Dr. Dawson is a consultant and advisor to Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd. Dr. Dawson is a member of American Gene Technologies International Inc., advisory board and owns stock options in the company. Dr. Dawson is a consultant to Inhibikase Therapeutics and owns stock options in the company. Dr. Dawson is a founder of Valted, LLC and holds an ownership equity interest in the company. Dr. Dawson is an inventor of technology of Neuraly, Inc. that has optioned from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Dawson is a founder of, and holds shares of stock options as well as equity in, Neuraly, Inc. All these arrangements have been reviewed and approved by the Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies.

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