Toxin-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models
The Topic “Toxin-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models’ includes articles on
experimental neurotoxic chemicals models of Parkinson’s Disease.
The model toxicants with differing chemical structures recapitulate PD
owning to their action on multiple molecular targets.
These reports have provided with deeper understanding on the neurodegenerative
events associated with the progressive disease.
Several toxin-based models are developed in an attempt
to experimentally mimic dopaminergic neurodegeneration,
oxidative stress, cytoplasmic inclusions, proteasome dysfunction,
altered protein trafficking, calcium overload and potentially
mapping the events in the PD pathology.
This spectrum includes research reports and reviews that discuss neurotoxin-based
models that have greatly contributed to unravel the key mechanisms of
neuronal cell death.
In relevance to PD in humans, toxin-induced PD models have provided for
observable behavioral deficits. Moreover, the etiologic specific
insights gained into the disease with the chemical modelling of PD
has aided to screen/develop novel therapies.
PD is the most common progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting 1-2% of
elderly population.
PD is characterized clinically by cardinal features involving resting tremor,
rigidity and bradykinesia with loss of postural stability.
The sporadic form of the PD involves progressive loss of dopaminergic
neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of the nigrostriatal system.
Mutations in alpha-synuclein, parkin, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal
hydrolase L-1 and DJ-1 genes have been linked to familial forms of the disease.
The occurrence of late-onset idiopathic form of the disease is likely due to gene mutation and
environmental influence. Nevertheless, there is a growing concern with the environmental
factors particularly the chemicals to either induce PD or increase the disease risk.
Neuro Open J. 2017; 4(1): e1-e5. doi: 10.17140/NOJ-4-e007
