Abstract

Many of the most debilitating and life-threatening diseases are associated with the central nervous system. Some, such as neurodegenerative diseases, predominately afflict our aging population. Yet others such as brain cancers and ALS are prevalent at all ages. In this presentation, models will be presented that attempt to recapitulate key aspects of the central or peripheral nervous system, both to probe the disease process, and as platforms to screen for new therapeutics. Four examples will be presented. First, a model for the healthy blood-brain barrier and neurovascular unit have been developed in order to capture the essential aspects associated with these diseases. Second, the blood-brain barrier model is used to study metastasis of cancers to the brain, as well as primary glioblastoma. In the third part of the talk, a model for the healthy and diseased neuromuscular junction will be presented as a step toward developing therapeutic strategies for treating ALS . Finally, a model for cerebral amyloid angiopathy, often associated with Alzheimer’s disease, will be discussed as a disease model and for its drug screening potential.