title: Modeling PD pathogenesis in mice: advantages of a chronic MPTP protocol.
abstract: Formidable challenges for Parkinson's disease (PD) research are to understand the processes underlying nigrostriatal degeneration and how to protect dopamine neurons. Fundamental research relies on good animal models that demonstrate the pathological hallmarks and motor deficits of PD. Using a chronic regimen of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and probenecid (MPTP/p) in mice, dopamine cell loss exceeds 60%, extracellular glutamate is elevated, cytoplasmic inclusions are formed and inflammation is chronic. Nevertheless, isradipine, an L-type calcium-channel blocker, attenuates the degeneration. These data support the validity of the MPTP/p model for unravelling the degenerative processes in PD and testing therapies that slow their progress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA. gloria.meredith@rosalindfranklin.edu
authors.forename: Gloria E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Meredith
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Totterdell
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Potashkin
authors.forename: D James
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Surmeier
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D051379:Mice; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009498:Neurotoxins; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine