Neurodegenerative Diseases Ethical Research. Healthier Futures.
Discover how responsible, humane animal research drives medical progress—improving and saving lives while upholding the highest ethical standards.
Therapies & Treatments – Helping Patients Live Better Lives
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
Neurodegenerative diseases are disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system. Neurodegenerative diseases affect the body’s activities such as balance, movement, talking, breathing and even heart function. Many are genetic, but some are caused by an underlying medical condition. Common neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, muscular dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s and multiple sclerosis.
| Patient Stories | Channel |
| A fitness trainer strives to keep his mother’s mind limber | https://www.novartis.com/stories/patient-perspectives/fitness-trainer-strives-keep-his-mothers-mind-limber |
| Living with the unknowns of Alzheimer’s disease | https://www.abbvie.com/who-we-are/our-stories/living-with-unknowns-alzheimers-disease.html#:~:text=Living%20now%2C%20every%20day,sense%20of%20purpose%20and%20pride |
Examples of Common Treatments Developed With Animal Models
| Drug | Usage | Animal Models |
| Risdiplam | Spinal muscular atrophy | Mice, rats, rabbits, monkeys |
| Donepezil | Cognition-enhancing medication, Alzheimer's disease | Lemurs, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Galantamine | Cognition-enhancing medication, dementia | Dogs, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Levodopa | Dopamine promoter, Parkinson's disease | Dogs, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Carbidopa | Dopamine promoter, Parkinson's disease | Dogs, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Ropinirole | Dopamine promoter, Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome | Dogs, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Pramipexole | Dopamine promoter, Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome | Dogs, mice, mini pigs, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Rivastigmine | Cognition-enhancing medication, dementia | Dogs, hamsters, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats, minipigs |
| Tetrabenazine | Involuntary movement reducer, movement disorder (chorea) caused by Huntington's disease | Dogs, hamsters, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
| Memantine | Cognition-enhancing medication, dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease | Dogs, hamsters, lemurs, mice, monkeys, rabbits, rats |
Support Ethical Research. Create a Healthier Future.
Help dispel myths, share the truth about animal research, and ensure everyone has access to life-changing treatments. Your support fuels responsible science, public education, and a future with less suffering and more healing.
