The present invention discloses a double transgenic fly that expresses
both Tau protein and the human A.beta.42 peptide of human amyloid-.beta.
precursor protein (APP). The double transgenic flies of the present
invention display a synergistic altered phenotype as compared to the
altered phenotype displayed by transgenic flies expressing either Tau or
human A.beta.42 alone, and thus provide for an improved model for
neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention
further discloses methods for identifying for therapeutic compounds to
treat neurodegenerative disorders using the double transgenic flies.
