Wet or dry: translatable "water mazes" for mice and humans

The Journal of Clinical Investigation
Kerin K HigaMark A Geyer

Abstract

Although the cognitive and biological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are well known and mouse models of AD are available, current treatments for AD-related cognitive deficits have quite limited efficacy. The development of tasks with cross-species validity may enable better prediction of the efficacy of potential new treatments. In this issue of the JCI, Possin et al. present a virtual version of the Morris water maze (a common test of spatial learning and memory for rodents) that is designed for use with humans. The authors tested a mouse model of AD (transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein [hAPP]) and patients in the earlier mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of AD in their respective versions of the maze. Using novel statistical methods, they detected similar deficits across species, providing support for the hAPP model and use of the virtual water maze. Importantly, this work enabled recommendations for appropriate sample sizes when developing potential therapeutics for AD.

References

Dec 3, 1999·British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·B M McGleenonA P Passmore
Jul 26, 2003·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jorge J PalopLennart Mucke
May 18, 2006·Reviews in the Neurosciences·Neil BurgessLisa Cipolotti
Sep 30, 2006·Neurobiology of Disease·Raphael PoirierM Hasan Mohajeri
Sep 6, 2007·Neurology·A R deIpolyiM L Gorno-Tempini
Oct 22, 2008·Nature Neuroscience·Rene O Sanchez-MejiaLennart Mucke
May 26, 2009·Behavioural Brain Research·Jan LaczóJakub Hort
Jan 8, 2010·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Julie A HarrisLennart Mucke
Jun 16, 2010·Neuron·Karen H Ashe, Kathleen R Zahs
Jan 12, 2011·Biochemical Pharmacology·J F Keeler, T W Robbins
Dec 27, 2011·Behavioural Brain Research·Tim KarlBrett Garner
Feb 7, 2012·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Zuzana NedelskaJakub Hort
Dec 18, 2014·Journal of Psychopharmacology·J W Young, M A Geyer
Apr 11, 2015·BMC Medicine·Michael S Rafii, Paul S Aisen
Jan 20, 2016·The Journal of Clinical Investigation·Katherine L PossinSteven Finkbeiner

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid Beta

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease associated with the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain; these plaques are comprised of amyloid beta deposits. Here is the latest research in this field.

Alzheimer's Disease: APP

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) proteolysis is critical for the development of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease associated with accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain. Here is the latest research on APP and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: Animal Models

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease which can be studied using various experimental systems. This feed focuses on animal models used for Alzheimer's disease research.