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By: MD Biosciences on Jun 13, 2024 10:17:26 AM
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. PD is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of the midbrain. The cardinal symptoms of PD include bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability. Progress towards the identification of disease-related genes has led to the expansion of animal models of PD from the classic 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxin models, and genetic models of the disease.
PD Model |
Species |
Model Length |
Assessments |
6OHDA PD Model |
SD Rats |
14 days |
Paw Placement, TH Immunoreactive Analysis, Biomarkers, Pharmacokinetics |
MPTP PD Model |
C57BL/6 Mice |
7 days |
TH Immunoreactive Analysis, Biomarkers, Pharmacokinetics |
Neurodegeneration Screening Assay |
Primary neurons from immature mice or rats |
5 days |
Neurodegeneration Index |
MPTP Model
Figure 1. Decreased TH Immunoreactive Cells in Substantia Nigra in Acute MPTP.
Figure 2. Immunohistochemical staining for Tyrosine Hydroxylase in SNpc.
6OHDA Model
Figure 3: Changes in TH staining in the striatum due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc.
Neurodegeneration Screening Assay
The PD in vitro screening assay utilizes primary neurons from immature mice or rats. Following the conditioning phase with alpha-synuclein, cultures are treated with compound and stained and evaluated for their neurodegeneration index. The assays are ideal for screening compounds prior to efficacy in in vivo studies.
Figure 4. After 7 days of conditioning, there is an increase in appearance of blebs, indicative of neurodegeneration.