A more natural context: Variation in mouse background improves models of vascular contributions to Alzheimer’s disease

Initial research focused on vascular contributions to dementia often categorized these pathologies as not relevant to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Patients that presented with vascular pathologies would commonly be excluded from clinical studies and trials of AD. Recently, these vascular contributions have become more appreciated. A number of studies have identified vascular factors either contribute to, or result from central AD hallmarks such as amyloid and tau pathology, and glial cell dysregulation. A number of genetic risk factors for AD are also centered on vascular cells and function. Unfortunately, current mouse models are limited in their presentation of vascular pathologies, and require introduction of other interventions such as diet‐induced obesity or middle cerebral artery occlusion.