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Advanced Neurology

REVIEW ARTICLE
Most utilized rodent models for Alzheimer’s and

Parkinson’s disease: A critical review of the past
5 years

Ana Flávia F. Ferreira* , Marina Meira , Livia M. Lemuchi , Maria E. Bianchetti ,
Nicole M. Kamidai , Livia M. Kilinsky , and Luiz R. G. Britto
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo,
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract
The past few years have witnessed extensive research on the two most common
neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
With an urgent need for new treatments, drug targets, and a better understanding of
the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions, researchers have
turned to animal models, especially rodents, to address these issues. However, the
abundance of reported models poses a challenge when choosing the most suitable
model for a specific study. In this critical review, we systematically scrutinized
studies using rodent models of AD or PD over the past 5 years. A comprehensive
literature search was conducted on PubMed, followed by the meticulous screening
of the identified studies. Among the retrieved publications, 1,222 studies reported
the use of rodent models of PD, with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine,
α-synuclein, and 6-hydroxydopamine emerging as the most frequently used models.
*Corresponding author:
Ana Flávia F. Ferreira Similarly, 2,961 studies reported the use of rodent models of AD, with APP/PS1,
(anaffernandesf@usp.br) 5×FAD, APP-based models, and 3×Tg being the most prevalent. In this review, we
Citation: Ferreira AFF, Meira M, summarize and highlight the main characteristics of these models. By providing
Lemuchi LM, et al. Most utilized a comprehensive overview of their features and applications, this review guides
rodent models for Alzheimer’s future studies in the AD and PD field, eventually aiding in the selection of the most
and Parkinson’s disease: A critical
review of the past 5 years. appropriate animal model tailored to the specific research question under scrutiny.
Adv Neuro. 2024;3(3):2903.
doi: 10.36922/an.2903
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; Alpha-synuclein;
Received: February 7, 2024 6-hydroxydopamine; MPTP; 3×Tg; 5×FAD; APP/PS1
Accepted: April 30, 2024
Published Online: June 11, 2024
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s). 1. Introduction
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the Aging brings multiple physiological, motor, postural, behavioral, and cognitive changes.
Creative Commons Attribution The increase in global life expectancy has led to a rise in the aging population. According
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, to the World Health Organization, the number of people aged 65 years and older is
provided the original work is expected to double by 2050. In 2021, there were 761 million people aged 65 years or
properly cited. older, and by 2050, this number is projected to reach 1.6 billion. This demographic shift
1
Publisher’s Note: AccScience generates an urgency for biomedical research focused on the treatment, diagnosis, and
Publishing remains neutral with understanding of the pathophysiology of aging-associated diseases, such as Alzheimer’s
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), which have significantly increased in
affiliations. prevalence over the past few years, as previously reported. 2,3

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2024) 1 doi: 10.36922/an.2903