Transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: phenotype and mechanisms of pathogenesis.

A range of transgenic mice have been created to model Alzheimer's disease. These include mice expressing human forms of the amyloid precursor protein, the presenilins and, more recently, tau. Several of the models develop features of the disease including amyloid pathology, cholinergic deficits, neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Progress in the characterization and use of these model animals is discussed.