Wistar Rat Model Of Alzheimer's Disease: Behavioral Assessment and Therapeutic Screening

Abstract

This review highlights their crucial role in screening studies across various fields, including pharmacology, toxicology, neurology, and metabolic research. The ability of Wistar rats to exhibit reproducible biological responses makes them ideal for evaluating the safety, efficacy, and biological effects of new therapeutic agents and chemicals before human trials.​ Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss. Effective drug development necessitates reliable animal models that replicate human AD pathology. In this study, we utilized a rat model induced by the administration of amyloid-beta (Aβ₁₄₂) peptides into the hippocampus to mimic early-stage AD. Behavioral assessments, including the Morris Water Maze (MWM), Y-maze, and passive avoidance tests, demonstrated significant cognitive impairments 8 weeks post-injection, reflecting typical AD symptoms. The reproducibility and consistency of cognitive impairments observed in this model make it an invaluable tool for screening potential therapeutic agents. By evaluating the efficacy of novel compounds in ameliorating cognitive deficits in this model, researchers can identify promising candidates for further development. Additionally, this model facilitates the investigation of underlying mechanisms of AD pathology, including amyloid deposition, tau phosphorylation, and neuro inflammation.