Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic non-human mammal, whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a recombinant env gene sequence which is operably linked to a promoter effective for the expression of the gene in the neuronal tissues of the mammal and effective for the simulation of neurological syndromes associated with HIV-1, the gene being introduced into the mammal, or an ancestor of the mammal, at an embryonic stage. The transgenic non-human mammal is such that transcription of the env gene may be under the control of a promoter sequence, such as a neuron specific promoter of human neurofilament heavy gene (NFH). The promoter can be synthetic or inducible. The transgenic non-human mammal can be a rodent, such as a mouse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic non-human mammal, whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a recombinant env gene sequence which is operably linked to a promoter effective for the expression of the gene in the neuronal tissues of the mammal and effective for the simulation of neurological syndromes associated with HIV-1, the gene being introduced into the mammal, or an ancestor of the mammal, at an embryonic stage. The transgenic non-human mammal is such that transcription of the env gene may be under the control of a promoter sequence, such as a neuron specific promoter of human neurofilament light gene (NFL). The promoter can be synthetic or inducible. The transgenic non-human mammal can be a rodent, such as a mouse.