Kainic acid lesion-induced nigral neuronal death

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive death of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. We report a rat model that exhibits progressive death of nigral neurons following unilateral injection of kainic acid in the striatum. In situ end-labeling revealed significant numbers of dying nigral neurons ipsilateral to the lesion during the first 3 weeks following injection. An indication of the gradual nature of …