Central nervous system (CNS) disorders are one of the leading therapeutic categories of the pharmaceutical market worldwide. CNS therapeutic area is also the largest and fastest growing area of unmet medical needs. Our strength is capable of providing reliable animal models and associated evaluations for drug discovery and development in CNS therapeutic area.
Animal models of pain
Nociceptive pain induced by peripheral injection of formalin or capsaicin
Inflammatory pain induced by Carrageenan
Neuropathic pain induced by sciatic nerve ligation (Bennett) and spinal nerve ligation (Chung)
The following graphs demonstrate data generated at HDB with reference compounds and test compounds (all blind studies). A photo demonstrates the process of surgery.
Models of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases in rodents
"Alzheimer's disease (AD)" induced by microinjection of pathogenic AD-related amyloid beta(Ab) or neurotoxic destruction of the cholinergic system (NBM) in brain, or by peripheral administration of cholinergic receptor antagonist to the animals. Transgenic models of AD are also offered.
"Parkinson's disease" induced by neurotoxic destruction of the dopamine neurotransmission system in brain.
"Huntington's disease" induced by neurotoxic destruction of the striatal structures in brain.
Techniques and specialties supporting the research for CNS therapeutics
Stereotaxic surgery: Microinjection is offered for model development and MOA studies.
Histology
1.
Histology procedures including perfusion fixation, paraffin section, frozen section and free floating section of brain samples.
2.
Histological stainings including H&E and cresyl violet.
3.
Stainings for neuron, astrocyte and microglia.
4.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for synaptic markers and disease markers.
5.
Quantification of brain structure volume or brain damaged volume and statistics.
The following photos demonstrate IHC for synaptic and disease markers.
Behavioral tests
Pain evaluation – paw withdrawal frequency, von Frey filament test, etc.
Learning and memory test – Morris water maze, Barnes maze, T-maze, radial arm maze,
contextual fear conditioning, passive avoidance.
Motor skills and activity-Rotarod, classic rotation test, open field activity, swim test, forelimb placing test
The following graph demonstrates data of a typical MWM study
