A group at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway, have demonstrated how mice can be used to answer questions about progression Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

Using genetically modified mice, the researchers took samples of spinal fluid and compared them to samples from patients with Alzheimer’s disease to look for similarities.

The team found that substances in the fluid, known as biomarkers, could be seen in both mice and humans, indicating that these mice are a good model for predicting changes involved with the disease.

“Animal experiments can provide us with good answers to important questions in the field” said Christiana Bjørkli of NTNU.