Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic non-human animal embryo lacking native presenilin 1 and a transgenic non-human animal having only a non-native presenilin 1. The transgenic animals and cells derived therefrom can be used in the study of the expression pattern, activity and modulators of presenilin 1, in the study of the role of presenilin 1 in Alzheimer's Disease and in the study of disorders of the central nervous system.

Abstract: This invention provides transgenic mice expressing wild-type or mutant isoforms of human tau protein. The transgenic mice of the invention have many uses, including screening candidate drug compounds effective against neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases involving taupathies. The transgenic mice of the invention can also be used in genetic crosses with other transgenic mice strains to model the progression of neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: In vivo assays for selecting candidate therapeutics for inhibiting amyloidoses, such as congophilic and fibrillar &bgr;/A4 amyloid deposition in brain. A candidate reagent is administered to a first rat in a first infusate comprising &bgr;/A4 peptide and perlecan by continuous infusion for at least one week into hippocampus. The candidate reagent is selected as a candidate therapeutic for inhibiting congophilic and fibrillar &bgr;/A4 amyloid deposition in brain if the first infusate diminishes congo red and thioflavin S staining indicative of amyloid deposition adjacent to the infusion site, as compared with a second rat receiving a second infusate consisting essentially of &bgr;/A4 peptide and perlecan.

Abstract: Methods of treating individuals suspected of suffering from diseases, conditions or disorders of the Central Nervous System which comprise implanting stable, homogeneous post-mitotic human neurons into the individual's brain are disclosed. Methods of treating individuals suspected of suffering from injuries, diseases, conditions or disorders characterized by nerve damage which comprise implanting stable, homogeneous post-mitotic human neurons at or near a site of said nerve damage. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising stable, homogeneous post-mitotic human neurons and a pharmaceutically acceptable medium are disclosed. Methods of generating non-human animal models of human CNS diseases, conditions or disorders which comprise implanting stable, homogeneous post-mitotic human neurons into the brain of a non-human animal are disclosed. Non-human animals comprising stable, homogeneous post-mitotic human neurons implanted in their brain are disclosed.

Abstract: Model systems of Alzheimer's disease comprise a DNA sequence encoding an amyloid precursor protein (APP) isoform or fragment that has an amino acid substitution. The substituted amino acid may be other than valine at the amino acid position corresponding to amino acid residue position 717 of APP770. Methods of determining genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a gene-targeted non-human mammal and generational offspring with respect to the gene encoding a mutant protein product of a mutated presenilin 1 gene (PS-1); more specifically, a gene-targeted mouse with respect to the gene sequence encoding the mutant protein product of PS-1 which has been mutated to contain the human P264L mutation. Methods for screening chemical compounds using such mammals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Animal model involving transgenic manipulation of amyloid precursor protein, useful for testing potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, in particular Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Provided are worms having deletions in genes associated with Alzheimer's disease and methods for detecting genes and compounds involved in the causation of Alzheimer's disease or useful for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A novel method for constructing deletions in the nematode is also provided.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human eukaryotic animal whose germ cells and somatic cells contain the amyloid precursor protein sequence introduced into the animal, or an ancestor of the animal, at an embryonic stage.

Abstract: This invention provides useful solid chimeric organs as well as animal models having such solid chimeric organs and processes for their preparation. Such organs find significant value and use in developing new models for disease, drug and therapeutic investigations and monitoring, and in studying storage functions and processes. The solid chimeric organs are comprised of recipient cells and donor cells, the latter themselves comprising allogeneic or xenogeneic cells which are unmodified or modified to contain one or more nucleic acid segments capable of exhibiting at least one biological property, e.g. DNA synthesis, replication, promoter function, transcription, translation, reverse transcription, and the like, non-native to the donor cell. The solid chimeric organs can be prepared from recipient organs using recipient cells and implanted allogeneic or xenogeneic donor cells from non-homologous organs or tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic non-human animals and transgenic non-human mammalian cells harboring a transgene encoding an APP polypeptide comprising the Swedish mutation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic nonhuman animal lacking native amyloid precursor protein. The transgenic mouse of the invention may be used in the study of Alzheimer's Disease and disorders involving the central nervous system.

Abstract: Methods for screening for risk of Alzheimer's disease involve assaying for a guanine to thymine substitution at position 1924 of the gene encoding the human amyloid precursor protein. Also described are transgenic non-human mammals, especially transgenic mice, harboring an expressable gene sequence encoding human amyloid precursor protein having a phenyalanine for valine amino acid substitution in the transmembrane domain of the amyloid precursor protein.

Abstract: The present invention features non-human transgenic animal models for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and CAA, wherein the transgenic animal is characterized by 1) overexpression of bioactive transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 (TGF-&bgr;1) or 2) both overexpression of bioactive TGF-&bgr;1 and expression of a human amyloid &bgr; precursor protein (APP) gene product. The transgenic animals may be either homozygous or heterozygous for these alterations. Bigenic animals are further characterized by development of AD-associated and/or CAA-associated pathology within about two to three months of age.

Abstract: The invention features a method of inducing amyloid plaque deposition in a mammal by infusing into the brain of the mammal an amyloid peptide at a basic pH, a nontransgenic animal model for Alzheimer's disease, and methods of identifying compounds to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to an animal model of human Alzheimer's disease that is useful for determining the mechanism of the disease and for developing and testing potential therapeutic drugs. More particularly, the present invention relates to the creation of transgenic non-human mammalian animals having integrated into their genome an exogenous DNA construct that encodes a portion of a .beta.-amyloid precursor protein ("APP") and that is designed to overexpress in various types of animal tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides novel mutant S182 sequences, methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease using these novel mutant S182 genes, a model system for Alzheimer's disease comprising a mutant S182 gene, and methods of identifying mutations in genes homologous to the S182 gene.