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Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning of rats and dopaminergic neurotoxicity: proposed animal model of Parkinson’s disease

  • Neurology and Preclinical Neurological Studies - Review Article
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Journal of Neural Transmission Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), following pretreatment with the norepinephrine transport inhibitor desipramine, selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons. When given to rats, neonatal 6-OHDA (n6-OHDA) crosses the blood–brain barrier to destroy 90–99% of dopaminergic nerves in pars compacta substantia nigra (SNpc). The n6-OHDA-lesioned rat is posed as a reasonable animal model for PD: (a) the magnitude of dopaminergic neuronal destruction is expansive, (b) mapping of dopaminergic denervation has been defined, (c) effects on dopamine (DA) receptor alterations have been elucidated (d) as well as changes in receptor sensitivity status, (e) reactive sprouting of serotoninergic innervation (i.e. hyperinnervation) has been mapped, and (f) interplay between serotoninergic and dopaminergic systems is characterized. (g) A broad range of locomotor and stereotyped behaviors has been assessed and (h) large numbers of neurochemical assessments have been attained. (i) n6-OHDA-lesioned rats survive 6-OHDA lesioning and (j) the rat is behaviorally indistinguishable from controls. Dopaminergic destruction in early ontogeny rather in adulthood is a ‘treatment liability’ of this model, yet other animal models have liability issues of a serious nature—the initial one being use of a neurotoxin to produce the animal model of PD. The n6-OHDA-lesioned rat is proposed as a PD model for its value in associating the SNpc dopaminergic lesion with behavioral outcomes, also for replicability of dopaminergic destruction, and the accompanying neuronal adaptations and interplay between neuronal phenotypes in brain—which provide a means to better define and understand the range of deficits and neuronal adaptations that are likely to occur in human PD.

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Abbreviations

α-Syn:

Alpha-synuclein

5-HT:

5-Hydroxytryptamine, serotonin

5,7-DHT:

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine

6-OHDA:

6-Hydroxydopamine

n6-OHDA:

Neonatally administered 6-OHDA

ADHD:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AMPH:

Amphetamine

APO:

Apomorphine

BBB:

Blood–brain barrier

CNS:

Central nervous system

DA:

Dopamine

DAR:

Dopamine receptor

DAT:

Dopamine transporter

GI:

Gastrointestinal

i.vtr.:

Intracerebroventricular

l-DOPA:

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine

mCPP:

M-Chlorophenylpiperazine

MPP+ :

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinium ion

MPTP:

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

n6-OHDA:

Neonatally administered 6-hydroxydopamine

NE:

Norepinephrine

NET:

Norepinephrine transporter

PCA:

Parachloroamphetamine

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

PFFs:

Pre-formed fibrils

R:

Receptors

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

SNpc:

Substantia nigra pars compacta

VCMs:

Vacuous chewing movements

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Acknowledgements

Research supporting experimental work by the author was funded by the Parkinson Foundation, March of Dimes, Scottish Rite Schizophrenia Research Program, John E. Fogarty Foundation International Center grants and NINDS NS 39272 and NS 29505.

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Correspondence to Richard M. Kostrzewa.

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This paper is original, it is not under review in another journal, and it has not been published previously. The author has no financial or non-financial interest, directly or indirectly, relating to this work now submitted for publication. The author is responsible for correctness of the text provided in the manuscript.

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Kostrzewa, R.M. Neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning of rats and dopaminergic neurotoxicity: proposed animal model of Parkinson’s disease. J Neural Transm 129, 445–461 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-022-02479-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-022-02479-4

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