Translation from in vitro models & assays into animal models are critical to understanding the progression of neurological disease while providing a complete interactive physiology to understand the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a candidate. We have developed robust and reproducible in vitro models and in vivo pharmacology studies that are validated for multiple assay platforms and reliable tools to screen small molecules to biologics.
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NEURODEGENERATION
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Alzheimer’s Disease: Take a fresh approach to your Alzheimer’s Disease research with optimized in vitro and in vivo models and assays that provide actionable data to drive your drug development from early discovery through late-stage preclinical. Start with any of our cell-based models, transgenic mouse models, aged rat and mouse models, and amnesia models which display pathologies associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
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Parkinson’s Disease: We offer an extensive portfolio of in vitro models and in vitro assays for Parkinson’s disease (PD) studies. Disease-relevant models include immortalized neuroblastoma cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and primary rodent neurons that can be modified using gene editing technologies (RNAi/CRISPR).
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PAIN
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Neuropathic Pain: For neuropathic pain models we offer the oxaliplatin mouse model’s response to cold allodynia, or pain in response to cooling, using two behavioral tests—the tail immersion/flick test and the acetone cooling test.
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Chronic Joint Pain: Charles River conducts contract studies in an established model of mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced joint pain to test the efficacy of novel anti-inflammatory compounds. The animal model is characterized by biphasic pain behaviors, with an early inflammatory phase followed by a later, less inflammatory phase.
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Inflammatory Pain: Charles River conducts contract studies in the CFA-induced rat model of arthritis to screen compounds against heat hyperalgesia (as measured by the Hargreaves method) and tactile allodynia (as measured by manual von Frey filaments).
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Spinal Nerve Ligation: Considered one of the most suitable models for analgesic screening against neuropathic pain, the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model is induced by unilateral ligation of the L5 and L6 branches of the spinal nerves.
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Peripheral Neuroinflammation: Our rat model of peripheral neuroinflammation is used to screen novel compounds against tactile and thermal allodynia.
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Nociceptive Pain: The rodent formalin model is widely utilized as an acute and rapid in vivo screening study for evaluating the potential analgesic effects of novel chemical entities. Charles River offers this study in both mice and rats to screen your novel compounds.
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Migraine Models: Charles River conducts contract studies in trigeminal ganglia electrostimulation and cortical spreading depression (KCl-induced) animal models to assess the efficacy of novel antimigraine drugs.
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RARE DISEASE
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Charles River offers multiple disease relevant in vivo pharmacology models to support your Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research. We have a validated in vivo transgenic SOD1-G93A model that exhibits a phenotype similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans.
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Huntington’s Disease: Our team has partnered with the CHDI foundation and industry clients to develop new therapeutic candidates that lower huntingtin protein levels via different mechanisms. Charles River has validated the transgenic R6/2 mouse model and the Q175 knock-in mouse model for Huntington’s disease research.
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Batten’s Disease: We are actively working on phenotyping three Batten disease models – CLN2, CLN6, and CLN8 mutations – to identify new biomarker endpoints that can be translated to the clinic. CLN6 and CLN8 are transmembrane neuronal ceroid lipofuscinose (NCL) mutations existing on the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas CLN2 is a lysosomal enzyme with an NCL mutation.
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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: At Charles River, we have validated the mdx mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy studies using a customizable multi-modal approach including biochemical markers, gait analysis and imaging.
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PSYCHIATRIC DISEASE
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Autism Spectrum Disorder: Animal models of ASD include various genetically modified or inbred strains of mice expressing autism traits, as well as models with targeted mutations in candidate genes. Charles River scientists characterized the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model using behavioral studies and noninvasive imaging to validate its utility for drug discovery of ASD therapies
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Schizophrenia: Charles River has validated a pencyclidine (PCP)-induced deficit model which recapitulates several behavioral deficits, mimicking the symptoms of schizophrenia. This model displays both positive and negative symptoms, including cognitive deficits, and facilitates the development of drugs for either symptom category or in combination.
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Depression: Partner with our scientists to run your Depression studies in well-characterized, disease-relevant models, and command an unmatched toolkit of imaging capabilities, behavioral assays and biomarkers. We offer a Chronic Social Defeat Model and a Forced Swim Test.
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Anxiety: Charles River conducts contract studies in mice using the marble burying test to assess the efficacy of novel anti-anxiety compounds, such as anxiolytics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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BRAIN INJURY
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Spinal Cord Injury: Charles River conducts contract studies in established animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI) to test the efficacy of novel therapeutics. All studies can be customized and adjusted to fit client needs. Our spinal cord injury models apply NYU impactor or hemisection in order to induce functionally and histologically relevant injury.
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Stroke & Brain Ischemia: Charles River conducts proof-of-principle/proof-of-concept studies for neuroprotection and reduction of infarct, as well as longer-term, more comprehensive studies looking at functional and cognitive outcomes or stroke prevention. All studies can be customized and adjusted to meet client needs.
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Traumatic Brain Injury: Charles River conducts contract studies in established animal models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to test the efficacy of novel therapeutics. Our traumatic brain injury work takes into account short-term recovery and treatments as well as longer-term functional and cognitive outcomes.
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NEUROINFLAMMATION
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Multiple Sclerosis: Modeling MS in animals focuses on one of two mechanisms – the autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models or induced demyelination models. At Charles River, MS mouse models targeting inflammation and demyelination are validated using a multi-modal approach to identify clinically relevant endpoints.
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LPS-Induced Cytokine Release Model: Charles River conducts contract studies in a validated cytokine release mouse model and a Rat Intravenous (IV) LPS Model to test the efficacy of novel therapeutics. This model is easily modified to address client-specified study needs.
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NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Model: At Charles River we have characterized a clinically relevant acute in vivo model to study the NLRP3 pathway using a combination of LPS and ATP. Many autoimmune pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have been linked to dysregulation of caspase-1 activation and IL-1β secretion strengthening the need for animal models to study the efficacy of compounds targeting the inflammasomes in vivo.
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In vivo models are efficiently used systems in neuroscience research to study the brain in normal or pathological conditions. There are many advantages to these models as animal studies constitute the most realistic platform for research and therapeutic approaches. Our seasoned neuroscientists are ready to support you, every step of the way. Use this form to tell us about your project, and we’ll assemble the right team to meet your needs.
