Field guide to HD mouse models

CHDI, The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), and PsychoGenics Inc. have compiled A Field Guide to Working with Mouse Models of Huntington’s Disease to give HD researchers an understanding of the different HD mouse models and to provide guidance to optimize their use in preclinical research and development. The guide describes many aspects of the established and emerging mouse models and proposes standardized best practices to facilitate direct comparison of results across laboratories. In particular, the guide emphasizes the importance of understanding how different models reflect disease-related phenotypes and mechanisms; selecting the most appropriate model will depend greatly on the question under consideration. The intent is to improve the translation of results to the clinic and to accelerate the pace of HD therapeutic research.

This field guide is intended as a collective HD community resource that will be updated periodically, and we welcome and encourage feedback from all HD researchers to improve and broaden content. Topics covered include:

• Current and emerging mouse models for HD research
• Quality control criteria and recommended best practice for using HD mouse models
• Model characteristics and considerations
• Best practice for using HD mouse models to test compound effects