A one-health approach to using sheep in research, with a focus on neuroscience studies

Abstract

Sheep have been an important animal for both academic and basic sciences education, with a positive impact on the public health sector and, subsequently, One Health. This review presents the impact of sheep on research with a specific focus on neuroscience studies. Disorders, as well as neuroendocrine and environmental factors affecting the brain, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, are selected, and relevant research and sheep models mimicking human diseases are described. The review discusses various sheep models, encompassing prion, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (Batten Disease), along with ischemic stroke. Sheep play a pivotal role in elucidating the pathogenesis and/or treatment for the aforementioned diseases. Furthermore, this research is underpinned by solid neuroanatomy knowledge. Consequently, we outline the main reasons why sheep are such robust research models. In conclusion, we demonstrate the important role that sheep models fulfill in advancing the mission of the One Health Initiative.