Most utilized rodent models for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease: A critical review of the past 5 years

The past few years have witnessed extensive research on the two most common neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). With an urgent need for new treatments, drug targets, and a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions, researchers have turned to animal models, especially rodents, to address these issues. However, the abundance of reported models poses a challenge when choosing the most suitable model for a specific study. In this critical review, we systematically scrutinized studies using rodent models of AD or PD over the past 5 years. A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, followed by the meticulous screening of the identified studies. Among the retrieved publications, 1,222 studies reported the use of rodent models of PD, with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, α-synuclein, and 6-hydroxydopamine emerging as the most frequently used models. Similarly, 2,961 studies reported the use of rodent models of AD, with APP/PS1, 5×FAD, APP-based models, and 3×Tg being the most prevalent. In this review, we summarize and highlight the main characteristics of these models. By providing a comprehensive overview of their features and applications, this review guides future studies in the AD and PD field, eventually aiding in the selection of the most appropriate animal model tailored to the specific research question under scrutiny.