A 6-hydroxydopamine-induced selective parkinsonian rat model

Brain Res. 1989 Aug 14;494(2):285-93. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(89)90597-0.

Abstract

Previous parkinsonian rat models have generally been characterized by unilateral destruction of both the nigrostriatal pathway and the mesolimbic pathway using the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We created a hemiparkinsonian model in which there is 6-OHDA-induced destruction of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway but sparing of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway. This resulted in reproducible, quantifiable rotational behavior in response to either amphetamine or apomorphine and a near total depletion of dopamine in the striatum ipsilateral to the lesion with a dorsolateral distribution of supersensitive dopaminergic D2 receptors. This model parallels the MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-induced hemiparkinsonian model in primates and more closely approximates the extent of neurodegeneration seen in human idiopathic Parkinson's disease than previous parkinsonian rat models. It may therefore prove a convenient model for studying the recently reported phenomenon of sprouting from host dopaminergic neurons following tissue implantation.

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Apomorphine / pharmacology
  • Autoradiography
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Hydroxydopamines*
  • Limbic System / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Oxidopamine
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects
  • Receptors, Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Stereotyped Behavior / drug effects
  • Stereotyped Behavior / physiology*

Substances

  • Hydroxydopamines
  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Oxidopamine
  • Amphetamine
  • Apomorphine