Promising rodent models in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: In the past decade, the study of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) has revealed a genetic component, often associated with a number of environmental risk factors. Animal models have improved our understanding of disease pathogenesis, providing significant insights into the understanding of novel molecular pathways. Each model has its own specific features and limitations, and the choice of the most appropriate one depends on the specific question that has to be answered. AIM: To provide an overview of some of the models supporting the hypothesis that early synaptic dysfunction represents a central event in the course of the disease. DEVELOPMENT: Along with "classical" models, based on the administration of neurotoxins and capable of replicating the neuropathological hallmarks of the disease, a number of genetic models, reproducing the disease-causing mutations of monogenic forms of familial PD, have been generated. More recently, novel models have been developed, based on the combination of a toxic insult together with PD mutations, allowing for the identification of dysfunction at a prodromal disease stage. CONCLUSIONS: The development and characterization of new models is crucial for a better understanding of PD related-synaptopathy, and hold promise for the identification of novel therapeutics.