In a new paper published in Acta Neuropathologica, IND researchers from the Condello lab and the Prusiner lab describe the creation and characterization of a novel transgenic rat model (Tg12099) to study human tauopathy. Ayers, Lopez, et al. found that extensive focal neurodegeneration of the corticolimbic system, resembling frontotemporal lobar degeneration-tau, coincided with tau pathology in the Tg12099 rats. This novel rat model should facilitate future investigations of the disease mechanisms of tau prion propagation and concurrent neurodegeneration. Their data support the Tg12099 rat as a potential resource for testing therapeutic candidates to treat tauopathy in humans.

Reference: Ayers J, Lopez TP, Steele IT, Oehler A, Roman-Albarran R, Cleveland E, Chong A, Carlson GA, Condello C, Prusiner SB. Severe neurodegeneration in brains of transgenic rats producing human tau prions. Acta Neuropathol. 2024 Aug 20;148(1):25. doi: 10.1007/s00401-024-02771-5. PMID: 39160375; PMCID: PMC11333523.