Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing the lifespan of a non-rodent mammal or a mature mammal in need thereof. The compositions and methods comprise therapeutically effective amounts of a nucleic acid encoding a target protein or a functional fragment or variant thereof or therapeutically effective amounts of a modified protein comprising target protein or a functional fragment or variant thereof.

Abstract: An animal model for motor neuron dysfunction in disease, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), comprising a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises a genetically modified DR6 allele and exhibits normal phenotypes at birth and for a few weeks or months after birth. However, as the non-human animal ages, it develops motor neuron dysfunction that presents as one or more ALS-like symptoms, which may progress rapidly after onset. Methods of identifying candidate agents that may be used to prevent, delay or treat ALS are also provided.

Abstract: A non-human animal (e.g., a rodent) model for diseases associated with a C9ORF72 heterologous hexanucleotide repeat expansion sequence is provided, which non-human animal comprises a heterologous hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) in an endogenous C9ORF72 locus. A non-human animal disclosed herein comprising a heterologous hexanucleotide repeat expansion sequence comprising at least one instance, e.g., repeat, of a hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) sequence may further exhibit a characteristic and/or phenotype associated with one or more neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or frontotemporal dementia (FTD), etc.). Methods of identifying therapeutic candidates that may be used to prevent, delay or treat one or more neurodegenerative (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)) are also provided.

Abstract: An animal model for motor neuron dysfunction in disease, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), comprising a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises a genetically modified DR6 allele and exhibits normal phenotypes at birth and for a few weeks or months after birth. However, as the non-human animal ages, it develops motor neuron dysfunction that presents as one or more ALS-like symptoms, which may progress rapidly after onset. Methods of identifying candidate agents that may be used to prevent, delay or treat ALS are also provided.

Abstract: An animal model for motor neuron dysfunction in disease, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), comprising a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises a genetically modified DR6 allele and exhibits normal phenotypes at birth and for a few weeks or months after birth. However, as the non-human animal ages, it develops motor neuron dysfunction that presents as one or more ALS-like symptoms, which may progress rapidly after onset. Methods of identifying candidate agents that may be used to prevent, delay or treat ALS are also provided.

Abstract: A non-human animal (e.g., a rodent) model for diseases associated with a C9ORF72 heterologous hexanucleotide repeat expansion sequence is provided, which non-human animal comprises a heterologous hexanucleotide repeat (GGGGCC) in an endogenous C9ORF72 locus. A non-human animal disclosed herein comprising a heterologous hexanucleotide repeat expansion sequence comprising at least one instance, e.g., repeat, of a hexanucleotide (GGGGCC) sequence may further exhibit a characteristic and/or phenotype associated with one or more neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and/or frontotemporal dementia (FTD), etc.). Methods of identifying therapeutic candidates that may be used to prevent, delay or treat one or more neurodegenerative (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)) are also provided.

Abstract: An animal model for motor neuron dysfunction in disease, e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), comprising a genetically modified non-human animal that comprises a genetically modified DR6 allele and exhibits normal phenotypes at birth and for a few weeks or months after birth. However, as the non-human animal ages, it develops motor neuron dysfunction that presents as one or more ALS-like symptoms, which may progress rapidly after onset. Methods of identifying candidate agents that may be used to prevent, delay or treat ALS are also provided.