In Vivo Systems: Animal Models of Neurodegeneration

摘要: Neurotoxicants may act on critical mechanisms in the most vital processes of nervous system and lead to damage at molecular, cellular, anatomical, physiological, behavioral levels. Since neurotoxicant-induced changes can be comparable those observed many neurological disorders, specific neurotoxicants related compounds have increasingly been used study cellular physiology pathophysiology associated with them. Most diseases unknown etiologies present complicated pathological profiles. Disease involve neurotransmitters their receptors, signal transduction, synaptic plasticity, metabolic processes, gene expression. The utilization nonhuman animals that share characteristics a human disease effectively simplify or isolate interest offer high degree experimental control. In addition, animal models provide opportunities for investigating aspects states would not feasible patients, appropriate successfully identify new therapeutic strategies treatment diseases. The main focus this chapter is describe representative are currently being research review some recent findings basic underlying processes. These important only enhancing broadening our knowledge potential etiologies, but also developing novel more effective will benefit humans counterparts. Although we acknowledge existence several other relevant chosen here about which personal experience and/or particular interest. Specifically, consequences developmental exposure drugs ketamine remacemide as N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists cocaine, commonly abused central (CNS) stimulant thought primarily through dopaminergic mechanisms. To varying degrees, these agents derange normal brain development result resemble learning disabled mentally retarded. Additionally, highlight use adult Parkinson’s (PD) Alzheimer’s (AD).