The present invention is a non-transgenic rodent exhibiting signs and
symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. The animal of this
invention is produced by acutely injecting .beta.-amyloid (25-35) peptide
into the lateral ventricles of a rodent. Animals produced in accordance
with this invention can be used in a method of identifying a therapeutic
agent for the prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease and to study
the etiology of this disease.