The shrew as a model for brain shrinkage without neurodegeneration" - Practice talk for a conference presentation

I'm preparing a 10-minute talk for the upcoming EMBO Workshop on unconventional vertebrate models in biomedicine. The workshop is targeted at researchers working with non-model species and those in biomedical fields (e.g. tissue regeneration, aging, stem cell biology). I’ll present how the common shrew undergoes its seasonal brain shrinkage without signs of "classic" neurodegeneration. I will also briefly touch into our captive vs wild effect, showing how naturalistic setting and ecologically relevant thinking can make all the difference in animal studies. The talk explores what makes the shrew a powerful yet underappreciated system for studying brain plasticity and adaptation. I'd love to practice the talk and get your feedback!