TRANSGENIC AND KNOCKOUT MICE IN THE STUDY OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Accurate animal models are essential for detailed analysis of the mech anisms underlying human neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, they can offer useful paradigms for the development and evaluation of new t herapeutic strategies. We review the most popular techniques for modif ication of the mammalian genome in vivo, and provide a critical evalua tion of the available transgenic mouse models for several neurological condition of humans, including prion diseases, human retroviral disea ses, Alzheimer's disease, and motor neuron diseases.