Advances in genetic models of Parkinson's disease

摘要: Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurological cause of death, after Alzheimer's disease, in elderly people. PD characterized by a variety motoric dysfunctions resulting from loss striatal dopamine, which accompany progressive degeneration dopaminergic neurons substantia nigra. While causes remain elusive cases, recent molecular genetic studies have linked mutations α-synuclein gene with rare form familial and parkins an autosomal recessive PD. Identification these genes allowing for creation models where vivo degenerative processes can be studied. In particular, various transgenic animals expressing human variants demonstrated that abnormalities lead to neurodegenerative changes vivo. These other nigrostriatal will allow investigators define cellular mechanisms are relevant pathogenesis.