The RATstream™ consortium will concentrate on the high-throughput (HTP) phenotypical characterization of rat models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 17.

To achieve this goal, automated home cage systems for motor, behavioural and physiological phenotyping will be developed by two SMEs and validated independently by two academic partners. In a joint effort the groups will develop a comprehensive set of characterisation experiments and parameters to detect early neurological and cognitive signs of neuronal dysfunction. We will develop a set of biomarkers and adapt PET technologies to measure disease progression in models that mimic the slow progression of the respective disease in humans.

The experiments will lead to a minimised set of experiments and markers best suited for each rat model which will be incorporated into an integrated data base. Subsequently, we will proof the validity of the parameters in pre-clinical studies applying novel substances delaying or preventing neurodegeneration.

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