Cranial and related sensorimotor impairments in rodent models of Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson's disease both limb and cranial sensorimotor functions are impaired, leading to a profound diminished quality of life for many patients. Toxin and genetic animal models of Parkinson's disease are likely essential for understanding the pathology associated with these impairments as well as for the development and testing of potential therapeutics. Here we describe useful novel and established behavioral outcome measures for assessing limb and cranial sensorimotor functions in toxin and genetic models of parkinsonism in rats and mice.

► Sensitive and useful behavioral tests for animal models of Parkinson's disease are reviewed.
► Both genetic and dopamine neurotoxin models may be helpful for developing novel treatments.
► Cranial sensorimotor and limb use functions are particularly valuable for pre-clinical Parkinson research.