Ideal animal models according to multifaceted mechanisms and peculiarities in neurological disorders: present and challenges.

Abstract

Neurological disorders, encompassing conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), pose a significant global health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. With an aging population and increased life expectancy, the prevalence of these disorders is escalating rapidly, leading to substantial economic burdens exceeding trillions of dollars annually. Animal models play a crucial role in understanding the underlying mechanisms of these disorders and developing effective treatments. Various species, including rodents, non-human primates, and fruit flies, are utilized to replicate specific aspects of human neurological conditions. However, selecting the ideal animal model requires careful consideration of its proximity to human disease conditions and its ability to mimic disease pathobiology and pharmacological responses. An Animal Model Quality Assessment (AMQA) tool has been developed to facilitate this selection process, focusing on assessing models based on their similarity to human conditions and disease pathobiology. Therefore, integrating intrinsic and extrinsic factors linked to the disease into the study's objectives aids in constructing a biological information matrix for comparing disease progression between the animal model and human disease. Ultimately, selecting an ideal animal disease model depends on its predictive, face, and construct validity, ensuring relevance and reliability in translational research efforts.