Mouse models as a tool for understanding neurodegenerative diseases

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to present recent advances in the both the creation and the use of mouse models of human neurodegenerative disease. We briefly touch on the technologies used to make these models, and then focus on recent results from new models. We discuss why such models are useful when they do - and do not - mimic the human disorder. Recent findings The numbers of mouse models are increasing dramatically and are starting to yield important results for human disease. We present a selection of new and important models and the results of recent investigations of these animals. Summary An accepted protocol when studying any form of human neurodegenerative disease is to investigate the genetics, pathology, neurophysiology, response to therapeutics, etc., of the disorder in the mouse. This approach is clearly bearing fruit for our understanding and treatment of human neurodegeneration.