Publication

Viral vectors, animal models and new therapies for Parkinson's disease

Patrick Aebischer
2008
Reviews

Abstract

The involvement of alpha-synuclein in familial forms of Parkinson's disease suggests a potential causative role in the pathogenesis. We have explored the possibility of generating animal models of Parkinson's disease by overexpressing alpha-synuclein in the nigrostriatal pathway using viral vectors. Both lentiviral and adeno-associated vectors efficiently transduce dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, and transgenic expression of alpha-synuclein leads to the progressive loss of neurons positive for dopaminergic markers, with the formation of intraneuronal alpha-synuclein aggregates. With a high tropism for nigral dopaminergic neurons, adeno-associated vectors allow for the monitoring of dopaminergic function using spontaneous and drug-induced behaviour. We propose that virus-based rodent alpha-synuclein models provide a valuable approach for the preclinical testing of therapeutics.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/82a3b40c-1788-4b1d-ab14-f0416bc6d4ac

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Graph Chat

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.

Patrick Aebischer
2008
Reviews

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/82a3b40c-1788-4b1d-ab14-f0416bc6d4ac

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Substantia nigra

The substantia nigra (SN) is a basal ganglia structure located in the midbrain that plays an important role in reward and movement. Substantia nigra is Latin for "black substance", reflecting the fact that parts of the substantia nigra appear darker than neighboring areas due to high levels of neuromelanin in dopaminergic neurons. Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.

Basal ganglia

The basal ganglia (BG), or basal nuclei, are a group of subcortical nuclei, of varied origin, in the brains of vertebrates. In humans, and some primates, there are some differences, mainly in the division of the globus pallidus into an external and internal region, and in the division of the striatum. The basal ganglia are situated at the base of the forebrain and top of the midbrain. Basal ganglia are strongly interconnected with the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and brainstem, as well as several other brain areas.

Animal testing

Animal testing, also known as animal experimentation, animal research, and in vivo testing, is the use of non-human animals in experiments that seek to control the variables that affect the behavior or biological system under study. This approach can be contrasted with field studies in which animals are observed in their natural environments or habitats. Experimental research with animals is usually conducted in universities, medical schools, pharmaceutical companies, defense establishments, and commercial facilities that provide animal-testing services to the industry.

Related publications (1)

Viral vectors, animal models and new therapies for Parkinson's disease

Chat with Graph Search

Fluorescent timer-based screening of protein turnover modulators in human neurons