Experimental Models for Alzheimer’s Disease: a Mechanistic View

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and its prevalence is continuously increasing. AD is characterized to varying degrees by Amyloid β, neurofibrillary tangles, gliosis, synaptic and neuronal loss leading to a decline in memory & apraxia agnosia and several neuropsychiatric changes like anxiety and depression etc. Increased age, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are considered to be the major risk factors implicated in the progression of AD. Various signaling systems, such as vasoconstrictor peptides, inflammatory mediators, growth factors, are involved in the pathogenesis of AD. At present, no promising therapy is available due to lack of understanding of signaling culprits involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Animal models are being developed to better understand the disease pathogenesis and develop drugs for this ailment. In the present review, various common lab animal models for AD are discussed, which has been used, can be used and which will open new vistas for developing new drugs to treat this cognitive syndrome.