Assessment of Motor function in mice model of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. There is degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia leading to manifestation of motor symptoms of rigidity, resting tremors, bradykinesia and postural instability. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the behavioral changes in mice model of PD to validate a PD model, study the etiology and pathogenesis of PD, identify potential therapeutic targets, and develop drugs as a cure for this disease. This article gives a summary of six, established tests of motor function including locomotion test, rotarod test, narrow beam walking test, pole test, adhesive dot removal test and hanging test. This article provides information regarding the apparatus required for the tests, procedure for conducting these tests, expertise required in handling the animals to conduct the test, variables tested and ease of conduct of the test. This article aims to provide guidance to budding researchers working with mice models of PD in selecting the appropriate tests of motor function for preclinical research.