Research Models

Commonly Used Mouse Models

Name Genes Mutations Modification Disease Neuropathology Behavior/Cognition Visualization Promoter/Regulatory Elements Genetic Background Strain Name Other Phenotypes Availability Primary Paper
APP APP K670_M671delinsNL (Swedish) APP: Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease By 14-16 months, homozygotes have diffuse and compact Aβ deposits in the frontal cortex, by 18-20 months plaques throughout the cortex and olfactory bulb with occasional deposits in the corpus callosum and hippocampus. No tangles, but some changes in phosphorylated tau. Reactive astrocytes and microglia by 14-16 months. Unknown. Yes (129X1/SvJ x 129S1/Sv)F1-Kitl<+> B6.129-Tg(APPSw)40Btla/Mmjax Increased mortality in young homozygous animals, especially females. At 3-4 months mice maintained on the C57BL/6J background exhibit spontaneous seizure-like activity as measured by EEG and are more susceptible to kainic acid-induced seizures. The Jackson Lab; available through the JAX MMRRC Stock# 034831; Cryopreserved Lamb et al., 1997
MAPT MAPT P301S MAPT: Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Other Tauopathy Age-dependent hyperphosphorylation of tau and conformational changes leading to neurofibrillary tanglelike pathology in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, brain stem, and spinal cord. Neurodegeneration, especially in the spinal cord, accompanied by astrocytosis. Early motor impairment, including abnormal clasping and rotarod deficit at 4 months, with nearly complete deficit at 5 months. Deficits progress to severe paraparesis. Disinhibition and hyperactivity at 2 to 3 months. Yes CBAxC57BL/6 Thy1-hTau.P301S (CBA.C57BL/6) Muscle weakness, tremor. Frequent eye inflammation. Available for academic use from Michel Goedert and for commercial use from LifeArc. The CRO reMYND offers research services with this line. Allen et al., 2002
MAPT MAPT P301L MAPT: Transgenic Frontotemporal Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Alzheimer's Disease Age and gene-dose dependent development of neurofibrillary tangles as early as 4.5 months in homozygotes and 6.5 months in heterozyotes. Tangles and Pick-body-like inclusions in the amygdala, hypothalamus, pons, medulla, and spinal cord among other areas. Neuronal loss, especially in the spinal cord. By 10 months, 90% developed motor and behavioral disturbances including limb weakness, hunched posture, decrease in grooming and vocalization. Yes C57BL/6, DBA/2, SW Mixed Background Tg(Prnp-MAPT*P301L)JNPL3Hlmc Eye irritiation, possibily due to carrying the Pde6brd1 retinal degeneration mutation carries Pde6brd1 mutation Taconic: Stock#2508 (homozygote)#1638 (heterozygote and wild-type) has been discontinued. Lewis et al., 2000