the present invention relates to a transgenic non - human mammal , whose germ cells and somatic cells contain a recombinant env gene sequence which is operably linked to a promoter effective for the expression of the gene in the neuronal tissues of the mammal and effective for the simulation of neurological syndromes associated with hiv - 1 , the gene being introduced into the mammal , or an ancestor of the mammal , at an embryonic stage . the transgenic non - human mammal is such that transcription of the env gene may be under the control of a promoter sequence , such as a neuron specific promoter of human neurofilament light gene . the promoter can be synthetic or inducible . the transgenic non - human mammal can be a rodent , such as a mouse .