Toxin-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models

Abstract

The Topic “Toxin-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Models’ includes articles on experimental neurotoxic chemicals models of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). 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 (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6-OHDA, rotenone, paraquat) 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 (motor and non-motor features). Moreover, the etiologic specific insights gained into the disease with the chemical modelling of PD has aided to screen/develop novel therapies.