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Need of orthogonal approaches in neurological disease modeling in mouse
Linda Bossini1,2, Alessandro Sessa1
1Neuroepigenetics Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Over the years, advancements in modeling neurological diseases have revealed innovative strategies aimed at gaining deeper insights and developing more effective treatments for these complex conditions. However, these progresses have recently been overshadowed by an increasing number of failures in clinical trials, raising doubts about the reliability and translatability of this type of disease modeling. This mini-review does not aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in disease mouse modeling. Instead, it offers a brief excursus over some recent approaches in modeling neurological diseases to pinpoint a few intriguing strategies applied in the field that may serve as sources of inspiration for improving currently available animal models. In particular, we aim to guide the reader toward the potential success of adopting a more orthogonal approach in the study of human diseases.
Insights
Recent failures in neurological disease clinical trials highlight issues with current animal models. This review explores innovative strategies and orthogonal approaches to improve the reliability and translatability of neurological disease modeling.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Translational Medicine
- Biomedical Research
Background:
- Advancements in modeling neurological diseases have yielded innovative strategies for deeper insights and treatments.
- However, increasing clinical trial failures raise concerns about the reliability and translatability of current disease models.
- This highlights a critical need to reassess and improve existing animal models for neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To briefly review recent approaches in neurological disease modeling.
- To identify intriguing strategies that can inspire improvements in current animal models.
- To advocate for an orthogonal approach in studying human neurological diseases.
Main Methods:
- Mini-review of recent literature on neurological disease modeling.
- Focus on innovative strategies and their application.
- Analysis of approaches for enhancing model translatability.
Main Results:
- Identified several intriguing strategies in recent neurological disease modeling.
- Highlighted the potential of an orthogonal approach to improve disease study.
- Emphasized the need for enhanced reliability and translatability in animal models.
Conclusions:
- Current neurological disease models face challenges with clinical trial translatability.
- Innovative strategies and orthogonal approaches offer promising avenues for improvement.
- Further research into refined modeling techniques is crucial for advancing neurological disease treatment.

