Animal models of Parkinson's disease: similarities and differences between the disease and models.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, akinesia, and postural instability. In addition, PD is characterized by the appearance of Lewy bodies in the remaining neurons. The exact etiology for this disease is still unknown. However, genetic-environmental interaction could contribute to the pathomechanisms of PD. Indeed, seven causative genes responsible for familial PD have been identified. Since discovery of familial PD (FPD), genetic PD models have been developed. Moreover, new PD models using neurotoxins have been reported. In this review, the similarities between human PD and PD models such as genetic mice and Drosophila models are reviewed.