To further examine the impact of selective NA depletion on spatial learning and memory and to address the possible relationship between these alterations and the development of AD-like neuropathology, we generated a model of mild and severe noradrenergic depletion induced early after birth in rats, using increasing doses of the selective noradrenergic immunotoxin anti-DBH-saporin. The gene discussed is DBH; the disease is Alzheimer disease.