Parkinson's is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disease in which
symptoms range from several motor (rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia) and nonmotor
symptoms (cognitive impairment). These symptoms mainly arise due to
alterations in dopaminergic pathways that disturb dopamine release, transmission, and
storage. Animal models are employed to study human diseases to understand the
disease's genetic and pathophysiological aspects. Several pathological conditions, such
as the deposition of Lewy bodies, endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced unfolded
proteins, and neuroinflammation, result in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.
These reasons make the screening and evaluation of antiparkinsonian drugs more
tedious and difficult. Animal model of Parkinson's includes neurotoxin model (MPTP,
6-OHDA, Paraquat, rotenone] and newer genetic model [α–synuclein, LRKK2, PINK).
In this chapter, we have focused on the mode of action, advantages, and disadvantages
of animal models of Parkinson's disease.
