<i>Octodon degus</i> (Molina 1782): A Model in Comparative Biology and Biomedicine

Ardiles, Álvaro O.; Ewer, John; Acosta, Mónica L.; Kirkwood, Alfredo; Martı́nez, Agustı́n D.; Ebensperger, Luis A.; Bozinovic, Francisco; Lee, Theresa; Palacios, Adrián

doi:10.1101/pdb.emo071357

Cited by 36 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Thus, the identification and validation of a natural, wild‐type AD model that can mimic the pathological hallmarks observed in AD patients would be highly useful to unravel the mechanisms of AD and validate potential therapeutic targets. We have previously suggested that the Chilean rodent O. degus could represent a natural model to study the onset and progression of AD . We have described that the O. degus naturally develops extracellular amyloid plaques, NFT, failure in cholinergic transmission and hippocampal disconnection in an age‐related manner .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Progression of Neuropathological Markers in the Brain of the Chilean Rodent Octodon degus, a Natural Model of Alzheimer's Disease

et al. 2015

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of age-related dementia worldwide. Several models for AD have been developed to provide information regarding the initial changes that lead to degeneration. Transgenic mouse models recapitulate many, but not all, of the features of AD, most likely because of the high complexity of the pathology. In this context, the validation of a wild-type animal model of AD that mimics the neuropathological and behavioral abnormalities is necessary. In previous studies, we have reported that the Chilean rodent Octodon degus could represent a natural model for AD. In the present work, we further describe the age-related neurodegeneration observed in the O. degus brain. We report some histopathological markers associated with the onset progression of AD, such as glial activation, increase in oxidative stress markers, neuronal apoptosis and the expression of the peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). With these results, we suggest that the O. degus could represent a new model for AD research and a powerful tool in the search for therapeutic strategies against AD.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age Progression of Neuropathological Markers in the Brain of the Chilean Rodent Octodon degus, a Natural Model of Alzheimer's Disease

et al. 2015

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“…For information on the degu as a model organism, see Octodon degus (Molina 1782): A Model in Comparative Biology and Biomedicine (Ardiles et al 2013).…”

Section: Related Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They readily become hyper-insulinemic, and this leads to cataracts and kidney damage (see Octodon degus [Molina 1782]: A Model in Comparative Biology and Biomedicine[Ardiles et al 2013]). …”

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confidence: 99%

Husbandry and Breeding in the Octodon degu (Molina 1782)

Palacios

Lee

2013

Cold Spring Harb Protoc

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The Octodon degu is a native rodent species from South America, which lives in colonies with a well-structured social organization grouping of 5-10 young and 2-5 adult animals sharing a burrow system. They show a temperature-dependent diurnal-crepuscular activity pattern. In nature they rarely survive 2 yr, mostly because of predation. However, in captivity, females reproduce for 4-4.5 yr, and both sexes live for 5-7 yr. Males remain fertile until death. Some care is required to maintain healthy degus, particularly breeding females. Here we describe husbandry and breeding guidelines from the experience of the University of Michigan degu colony. With the husbandry practices described here, 90% of pups born in our colony reach maturity (6 mo of age), and no diarrheal diseases are apparent in our adult population.

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“…It is also a popular model for neurodegenerative conditions of aging, including Alzheimer's disease (Ardiles et al, 2013). The precocious neonates are animal models used to study neurobiological developmental patterns.…”

Section: Use In Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A breeding and experimental degu colony was successfully maintained at the University of Michigan for many years (Ardiles et al, 2013;Colby et al, 2012). Husbandry and biology were recently reviewed and a Cold Spring Harbor Protocol for the use of this species is available based on the University of Michigan colony (Palacios and Lee, 2013).…”

Section: Husbandrymentioning

confidence: 99%