Movement Disorders Induced by Neurotoxins

Parkinson’s disease (PD), first described by James Parkinson, remains the most prevalent neurological movement disorder in aging populations. This debilitating condition is characterized by the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta. Despite its discovery over two centuries ago, the etiology of PD remains elusive. To gain deeper insights into the underlying pathology, disease progression mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets for symptom amelioration, animal models have emerged as invaluable tools. Among these, neurotoxins such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) are extensively utilized to induce acute PD models in mice and rats, respectively. This review comprehensively explores the contributions of these neurotoxin-induced models toward enhancing our understanding of PD pathogenesis and advancing therapeutic interventions. Additionally, it highlights key findings and promising avenues for future research in this critical area of movement disorders.