Very few species spontaneously develop the cognitive, behavioral and neuropathological symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet AD research must progress at a more rapid pace than the rate of human aging.
Therefore, in recent years, a variety of animal models have been created - from tiny invertebrates with life spans measurable in months to huge mammals that live several decades. A special issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (December 2008), assembled by guest editor Diana S. Woodruff-Pak, Temple University, Philadelphia, explores the variety of animal models now being used in AD research and the resulting therapeutic implications.
"Because of the rare instances of spontaneous development of AD pathology in non-human species, animal models have been developed using various genetic, biochemical, or dietary manipulations to approximate full-blown symptoms of the disease," commented Dr. Woodruff-Pak. "The purpose of this Special Issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease ( JAD ) is to provide an overview of the available animal models of AD and to highlight the power of these models in elucidating mechanisms and treatments. To bridge the wide gap between the molecular biology of AD and clinical therapeutics, it is essential to have valid non-human animal models to investigate disease mechanisms, test treatments, and evaluate preventative strategies and cures. While each animal model has limitations, the value of animal models for research on AD is immeasurable. Our progress in establishing a knowledge base about AD would be slowed, and in some cases prevented, without animal models."
Bringing together 13 contributions from worldwide experts, the models span the fruit fly, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog and non-human primate species. Dr. Woodruff-Pak, in an introductory article, describes the advantages and unique characteristics of each of these models.
The fruit fly model is discussed in an article by Iijima and Iijima-Ando where associative learning and memory can be assessed by olfactory conditioning and can be used to model impairment of human patients with AD. In a contribution by Khurana, the fruit fly can be used to model tau-dependent neurodegeneration, a hallmark of AD and related neurodegenerative disorders.