Cited by 811Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 182 of the 182 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 1 of the 168 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Alzheimer's disease: experimental models and reality

Open access
Drummond, Eleanor, Wisniewski, Thomas·2017·Acta Neuropathologica

Abstract

Experimental models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are critical to gaining a better understanding of pathogenesis and to assess the potential of novel therapeutic approaches. The most commonly used experimental animal models are transgenic mice that overexpress human genes associated with familial AD (FAD) that result in the formation of amyloid plaques. However, AD is defined by the presence and interplay of both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangle pathology. The track record of success in AD clinical trials thus far has been very poor. In part, this high failure rate has been related to the premature translation of highly successful results in animal models that mirror only limited aspects of AD pathology to humans. A greater understanding of the strengths and weakness of each of the various models and the use of more than one model to evaluate potential therapies would help enhance the success of therapy translation from preclinical studies to patients. In this review, we summarize the pathological features and limitations of the major experimental models of AD, including transgenic mice, transgenic rats, various physiological models of sporadic AD and in vitro human cell culture models.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review argues that no current experimental model fully replicates human Alzheimer’s disease, because most models capture only limited aspects of AD pathology—usually amyloid-related changes—while AD is defined by both plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. It links the ~99.6% failure rate of AD clinical trials partly to premature translation from such models and recommends using multiple, better-characterized models, including more physiological and human-based systems.

Key findings

  • AD is defined by both extracellular Aβ plaques/CAA and intraneuronal tau NFTs, but most animal models develop only amyloid accumulation and often lack widespread neuronal loss and NFTs; transgenic models are largely based on FAD mutations, whereas sAD afflicts >95% of AD patients.
  • The paper reports an AD clinical trial failure rate of ~99.6%, many after success in preclinical animal models, and attributes this in part to models that mirror only limited AD pathology.
  • Transgenic mouse examples: 5xFAD mice show intraneuronal Aβ at 6 weeks and plaques at 2 months; 3xTg mice show intraneuronal Aβ at 3–4 months, plaques at ~6 months, and NFTs at ~12 months, but NFT pathology is much less extensive than in AD. APP/PS1 models generally do not develop NFTs.
  • Physiological models show age-related Aβ pathology but rare/limited tauopathy: ~40% of aged rhesus monkeys (25–31 years) had no plaques or CAA, while 100% of very old animals (33–39 years) had plaques; baboons show localized hippocampal tauopathy in 90% over age 26; aged dogs develop plaques from 8–9 years but typically no NFTs.

Methods

  • Narrative review summarizing pathological features and limitations of major experimental AD models, including transgenic mice, transgenic rats, physiological models of sporadic AD, invertebrate models, and in vitro human cell culture models.
  • No primary experimental data or systematic search is reported; the synthesis draws on cited literature and model comparisons, with a table detailing commonly used transgenic strains.
  • Main analysis is qualitative comparison of how well each model replicates human AD neuropathology, especially plaques, tangles, neurodegeneration, and cognitive impairment.

Limitations

  • The paper states that none of the available models replicate all features of human AD; transgenic models model FAD rather than sAD, use non-physiological overexpression, and generally lack NFTs and widespread neurodegeneration; physiological models have long lifespans, variable pathology, and little tauopathy; cell culture models lack the complex brain environment and have protocol, epigenetic, and phenotype-variation issues.
  • The paper notes that absolute comparisons between transgenic models are difficult because characterization of cognitive testing, tau pathology, and synaptic pathology varies greatly.
  • Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it does not provide a systematic search strategy, quantitative meta-analysis, or formal risk-of-bias assessment.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s00401-016-1662-x

Cites

182 of 182 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

78 Not checked yet · 47 Own interpretation · 31 No basis given · 1 Supported

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Show all 69 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 87
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 3
88 of 88
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    AD is unique to humans.

    “AD is a complex, multi-factorial disease, and one that appears to be unique to humans.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The presence of both plaques and tangles is required for diagnosis of AD.

    “The presence of both plaques and tangles is required for diagnosis of AD”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Rhesus monkeys do not have tauopathy despite a high sequence homology between human and rhesus monkey tau.

    “Rhesus monkeys do not have tauopathy, despite a high sequence homology between human and rhesus monkey tau.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Vervets do not have NFTs.

    “No NFTs are present.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Squirrel monkey plaques are typically smaller than plaques in human AD.

    “Plaques are also present, which can be either diffuse or compact and are typically smaller than plaques in human AD.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Aβ deposition in squirrel monkeys is mostly observed in the cortex and amygdala with little deposition in the hippocampus.

    “Aβ deposition is mostly observed in the cortex and amygdala with little deposition in the hippocampus.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The maximum lifespan of grey mouse lemurs is 18 years in captivity.

    “The maximum lifespan of these prosimians is 18 years in captivity.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The most prevalent symptom of AD in humans is cognitive impairment.

    “The most prevalent symptom of AD in humans is cognitive impairment.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    ApoE4 is the strongest identified genetic risk factor linked to sAD.

    “ApoE4, which is the strongest identified genetic risk factor linked to sAD”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    FAD directly results from Aβ over-expression and sAD likely results from multiple factors that contribute to poor clearance of Aβ from the brain.

    “FAD directly resulting from Aβ over-expression and sAD likely resulting from multiple factors that contribute to poor clearance of Aβ from the brain.”
10 of 10

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Citations

Cites

1 retracted

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Lemere CA, Iglesias M, Spooner ET, Bloom JK, Leverone JF, Li D, Zheng JB, Seabrook TJ, Selkoe D, Ervin FR et al (2003) Aβ immunization in aged vervet monkeys reduces Aβ levels in brain and CSF. Soc Neurosci Abst 133(5):5

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Metadata

Authors
Drummond, E., & Wisniewski, T.
Affiliations
NYU Langone Health (US)
Venue
Acta Neuropathologica
Published
2016-12-26
Volume
133
Issue
2
Pages
155-175
ISSN
  • 0001-6322 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-0533
OpenAlex
W2563078526
Cited by
810
References
182
Citations by year
2026: 81 · 2025: 93 · 2024: 123 · 2023: 115 · 2022: 117 · 2021: 111 · 2020: 84 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 18
FWCI
3.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Acta Neuropathologica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (AG08051)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS073502)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
Alzheimer's disease, animal models of Alzheimer's disease, transgenic mice, familial Alzheimer's disease, amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, sporadic Alzheimer's disease, transgenic rats, in vitro cell culture model, translational failure, clinical trial failure, drug target validation
MeSH terms
Alzheimer Disease, Animals, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Animals, Genetically Modified

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