MPTP Lesion Causes Neuroinflammation and Deficits in Object Recognition in Wistar Rats

Animal model of Parkinson's disease with dementia would greatly facilitate research into the underlying causes of this disorder. Here. we showed that bilateral infusion of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of Wistar rats caused degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. cell loss in the hippocampal CAI area, as well as microglial activation and increase of interleukin-2 levels in several brain regions In addition, increase of anxiety-like behavior and impairment of object recognition were observed in the MPTP-lesioned rats These findings suggest that neuroinflammation may contribute to MPTP-induced neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits, which is suggested as in animal model of Parkinson's disease dementia