A Pitx3-deficient developmental mouse model for fine motor, olfactory, and gastrointestinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the selective death of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) dopaminergic neurons and includes both motor and non-motor symptoms. While numerous models exist for the study of typical PD motor deficits, fewer exist for non-motor symptoms. Previous studies have shown that a Pitx3 mouse model (aphakia or ak mouse) has specific developmental failure of the dopaminergic neuron population in the SNpc and that it can be used for the study of PD-related gross motor dysfunction as well as cognitive functional deficits.

Nitric Oxide Induces a Janus Kinase-1-Dependent Inflammatory Response in Primary Murine Astrocytes.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a versatile free radical that has been implicated in many biological processes (i.e., vasodilation, neurotransmission, and smooth muscle relaxation).