The present invention provides a non-human model mammal of Alzheimer's
disease (AD) containing chimeric amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene
capable of producing human amyloid .beta. peptide (A.beta.) or a living
part thereof, characterized in that A.beta.42/A.beta.40 ratio at
8-weeks-old is about 7-fold or more (about 140-fold or more in
homozygote) higher compared to that of a corresponding wild-type mammal.
Moreover, the present invention provides the mammal or a living part
thereof, further characterized in that the level of APP expression is not
significantly different compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal,
and a screening method for a prophylactic and/or therapeutic drug for AD,
a biomarker in biological fluids and molecular imaging of amyloid
deposition or other pathological changes in the brain for an early
diagnosis of AD using the mammal or a living part thereof.