Considerations for the selection and phenotyping of mouse models for the study of Alzheimer’s disease

All models are incomplete and must balance the need for experimental efficiency with the complexity of the natural world. To select and use models for the study of human disease, it is critical to understand what is of fundamental scientific importance and which limitations are thus of greatest concern. Here, we highlight key considerations for the design of research studies using mouse models of aspects of Alzheimer's disease for both mechanistic and proof-of-principle intervention studies. This primer considers mouse model choice, including the strengths and limitations of genetically altered, pathological aggregates injection, and human iPSC-chimera systems. We also review key principles of experimental design, husbandry, and technical considerations for the phenotyping of clinically disease-relevant features, with a focus on behavior and cognition.