The present invention describes a dissociated
cell culture
system comprising cells of the
hippocampus, one of the brain areas affected by Alzheimer's
Disease (AD) or
amyloid beta-related diseases. This culture
system comprises hippocampal neuronal and glial cells from animal models of AD, particularly, but not limited to, double transgenic mice expressing both the human APP
mutation (K670N:M671L) (mAPP), and the human PS1
mutation (M146L) (mPS1), and serves as a powerful tool for the screening and testing of compounds and substances, e.g., drugs, for their ability to affect, treat, or prevent AD or β-
amyloid-related diseases. The effects of a test substance on the cells in this culture
system can be quantitatively assessed to determine if the test substance affects the cells biochemically and / or electrophysiologically, and / or optically, and / or immunocytochemically. The present
in vitro culture system is advantageous for AD
drug screening, because it is rapid and efficient. By contrast, even in the fastest
animal model of AD,
pathology does not start before the end of the second month. If such
in vivo animal models are used, it is necessary to wait at least the two month
time duration or longer to test for
drug efficacy for AD treatment or prevention. At the same time the present invention provides a tool for production of
amyloid-beta that can be used for electrophysiological, behavioral, and toxicological studies.