Quantitative Analysis of Catecholamines in the Pink1 -/- Rat Model of Early-onset Parkinson's Disease.

ABSTRACT: Parkinson's disease (PD) related to homozygous mutations in the Pink1 gene is associated with nigrostriatal dopamine depletion and a wide range of sensorimotor deficits. In humans and animal models of PD, not all sensorimotor deficits are levodopa-responsive. We hypothesized that the underlying mechanisms of locomotion, limb control, and vocal communication behavior include other pathologies. Here, Pink1 -/- rats were treated with an oral dose of levodopa and limb motor and vocal communication behaviors were measured. Levodopa significantly improved some aspects of locomotion but did not improve ultrasonic vocalization intensity or frequency. Catecholamine concentrations in the striatum (SR), substantia nigra (SN), and locus coeruleus (LC) were analyzed to test the hypothesis that behavior

SUBMITTER: Kelm-Nelson CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5924710 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature