Animal Models of Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders

Animal models of neurological disorders are critical for determining underlying disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutic modalities. In general, the utility of an animal model for a particular disease is often dependent on how closely the model replicates all or part of the human condition. In Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related parkinsonian disorders there now exists a variety of animal models, each of which makes a unique contribution to our understanding of the human condition. These models have been derived in a variety of species (pig, nonhuman primate, rodent, and cat) using multiple techniques, including (1) surgical lesioning, (2) pharmacological manipulation, (3) administration of neurotoxicants, and (4) genetic alterations. While these models are not identical to the human condition with respect to behavioral characteristics, brain anatomy, or disease progression, they have provided significant advancements in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and treatment of movement disorders such as PD.