ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Although the cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unknown, in the last several decades the understanding of the role of the environment along with the role of familial and genetic risk factors has contributed to an expansive knowledge base regarding potential mechanisms. Specifi cally, animal models have contributed to our understanding of PD by allowing researchers to test specifi c hypothesis generated from these various known contributors of disease. Through the years, animal models have also provided an important and necessary tool for screening and validating new therapeutic modalities. This review highlights the wide spectrum of animal models, generated through chemical or neurotoxin lesioning or genetic manipulation (transgenic rodents, vector targeting), as well as delineating some of their strengths and limitations.
