Models of dementia: the good, the bad and the future 2010

There are many limitations associated with modelling chronic diseases that take decades to fully develop in humans and of which there is a lack of insight to the initiating molecular processes. The majority of models of Alzheimer s Disease and other dementias mimic pathological features of the disease rather than potential causal events and many models often harbour gene mutations associated with rare familial forms of the disease. A number of models have been developed to mimic aspects of dementia ranging from the worm (C.elegans), through the fly (D.melenogaster) to rodents. Studies in these models have gone some way to provide insight to the pathogenesis of the dementias but arguably may not be entirely clinically relevant and thus have also triggered intense debate on the benefits of such models to drug discovery.

We believe that the time is right for a focused debate to establish the good, the bad and the future of this important aspect of the fight to reduce dementia in the human population. The meeting has three major aims:
1) to reduce the number of animals used in this field by highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of the current models,
2) to identify specific research needs that should be supported and developed in the future, and
3) to provide funding agencies with a balanced published record of the use of these models, for more effective assessment of future applications for support.

Topics

Molecular Development of Dementia
Alzheimer`s Disease
Amyloid
Tauopathy
Neurodegeneration
Modelling of Pathology
Modelling of Behaviour
Clinical Utility of Dementia Models