APP transgenic mice: The effect of active and passive immunotherapy in cognitive tasks

Various immunotherapy strategies for APP transgenic mice have emerged in recent years. Specifically, active immunization with beta-amyloid (Aβ) or passive immunization with anti-Aβ-antibodies in APP transgenic mice has appeared most promising. Recent studies have shown that treatment of APP transgenic mice either with Aβ40/42 or Aβ-specific antibodies can have beneficial effects in cognitive tasks. Active as well as passive immunization have been shown to affect spatial, non-spatial, emotional and object-related learning and memory. Such effects can be observed when treatments are applied prophylactically (before apparent Aβ pathology) or therapeutically (after the development of Aβ pathology) in APP transgenic mice. This review focuses on such cognitive outcomes of different active and passive immunization strategies in APP transgenic mice.