Neurobehavioral Testing as Cognitive Function Evaluation tool in Experimentally Induced Neurodegeneration in Mice

Abstract

Neurodegeneration is a complex and multifactorial process presenting one of the major issues of fundamental science and clinical medicine due to its high prevalence, multiple nosological entities, and variations in pathogenesis. Translational research contributes to the study of neurodegenerative diseases, with modeling of such pathologies being an important part of this research. Behavioral testing in various animal models of neurodegenerative diseases allows to assess the model validity and reliability, as well as to investigate the potential efficacy of pharmacotherapy and other management approaches. In this overview we present test batteries that evaluate behavior, cognitive performance, and emotional states in animals with experimentally induced neurodegeneration.

Keywords

• neurodegeneration
• memory
• fear conditioning
• conditioned freezing
• neurogenesis