Rodent models of central nervous system tumors

Rodents are widely utilized for modeling human central nervous system diseases and their use in experimental neuro-oncology continues to increase. The rodent is one of the first animal systems that many new surgical techniques, novel therapeutics and new drug delivery systems are tested on prior to undergoing further pre-clinical analysis. Rodent models are cost-efficient, reproducible, and can be manipulated to mimic the intended disease state. In some cases the inbred status of a rodent can aid in maintaining a controlled experimental environment in which tested variables are manipulated and selective transgenic manipulation can further assist in evaluating therapeutic targets and biological pathways. Alternatively, immuno-compromised animals can be used to host tissue from other species, such as human tumor explants, to more effectively test novel drugs or treatment combinations for intended future clinical use. In this chapter we identify some of the most utilized rodent models for primary brain and spinal cord tumors as well as some models that have been implemented to study metastatic disease to the brain and the spinal column.