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Probing the biology of Alzheimer's disease in mice
Ashe KH, Zahs KR.. Neuron, 2010-06-01
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia among the elderly, may either represent the far end of a continuum that begins with age-related memory decline or a distinct pathobiological process. Although mice that faithfully model all aspects of AD do not yet exist, current mouse models have provided valuable insights into specific aspects of AD pathogenesis. We will argue that transgenic mice expressing amyloid precursor protein should be considered models of accelerated brain aging or asymptomatic AD, and the results of interventional studies in these mice should be considered in the context of primary prevention. Studies in mice have pointed to the roles of soluble beta-amyloid (Abeta) oligomers and soluble tau in disease pathogenesis and support a model in which soluble Abeta oligomers trigger synaptic dysfunction, but formation of abnormal tau species leads to neuron death and cognitive decline severe enough to warrant a dementia diagnosis.
Key findings
- We will argue that transgenic mice expressing amyloid precursor protein should be considered models of accelerated brain aging or asymptomatic AD, and the results of interventional studies in these mice should be considered in the context of primary prevention.
Why it matters
This review argues that transgenic mice expressing amyloid precursor protein should be seen as models of accelerated brain aging or asymptomatic Alzheimer's disease, so intervention studies in them relate to primary prevention. It also points to roles for soluble beta-amyloid oligomers and soluble tau in disease processes, but these are animal-model findings.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 50/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuron) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Neuron: journal h-index 689 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2010 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Laboratory or animal study (title names “mice”) — scores zero |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 416 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 23.1 citations a year over 18 year(s) since 2010 |
| Impact for its field and year | 5 / 6 | Cited 33.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 12 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 26 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Kathleen R. Zahs: h-index 29 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Minnesota: institution h-index 1,568 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 20547123) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 50 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Ashe, K. H., & Zahs, K. R. (2010). Probing the biology of Alzheimer's disease in mice. Neuron. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.031
Vancouver
Ashe KH, Zahs KR. Probing the biology of Alzheimer's disease in mice. Neuron. 2010. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.031. PMID: 20547123.
BibTeX
@article{ashe2010-20547123,
author = {Ashe, K. H. and Zahs, K. R.},
title = {{Probing the biology of Alzheimer's disease in mice}},
journal = {Neuron},
year = {2010},
doi = {10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.031},
pmid = {20547123},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2010.04.031}
}
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