Animal models have been extensively used to study the complex physiology and pathophysiology of human diseases. They are valuable for understanding biological phenomena, to understand disease development and progression, and for testing novel therapeutic strategies. The selection of the most adequate species for an animal model can be challenging for researchers. Scientists must consider particular physiological features of that species and the available tools for studying them as well as financial and practical feasibility. Here, we summarize recent advances in modeling central nervous system disorders, focusing in one degenerating disease, Parkinson’s disease, and on a traumatic condition, spinal cord injury. We discuss the rationale, strengths and weaknesses, and predictive validity of the several available models. At first, we explored less complex models, such as worms, then discuss naturally regenerating models, such as zebrafish, and finally we review the most common used animal model in preclinical research, rodents.
